OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY 


GLEAMS  of  SCARLET 

A  TALE   OF  THE   CANADIAN   ROCKIES 

BY 
GERTRUDE  AMELIA  PROCTOR 


BOSTON 

SHERMAN,  FRENCH  &  COMPANY 
1915 


COPYRIGHT,    1915 

SHERMAN,  FRENCH  &  COMPANY 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 


CHAPTER  I 

Night  was  fast  approaching,  the  twilight,  with 
its  opal  tints,  giving  place  to  a  begemmed  heaven. 
The  wheat  fields  gleamed  under  the  young  harvest 
moon,  while  here  and  there  bright  fires  illumined 
the  scene,  being  a  sort  of  aftermath  of  the  stubble. 

For  miles  and  miles  the  eyes  of  the  traveler  had 
viewed  this  expanse,  treeless,  flowerless,  except  for 
an  occasional  oasis  of  green  where  homes  were 
located.  The  past  two  days  had  been  a  sort  of 
wonderment  to  many,  flying  past  those  western 
homes.  Now  and  then  a  little  hand  had  waved 
them  an  informal  welcome  as  the  iron  monster 
with  its  burden  tore  by  before  their  always  admir- 
ing eyes. 

Suddenly  the  train  began  to  slacken  its  speed, 
and  soon  the  conductor  informed  his  "  people,"  as 
he  good-naturedly  called  the  Pullman  guests,  that 
they  would  have  ten  minutes  to  view  the  landscape 
o'er. 

"  Come,  my  little  lady,"  exclaimed  a  well-modu- 
lated voice,  as  a  brown  clad  figure  stood  at  one  of 
the  Pullman  drawing-room  doors,  "  just  time  for 
a  little  ozone  and  a  look  at  another  huge  bonfire 
before  turning  in." 

"  Oh,  very  well ;  but  where  is  — " 
1 


2  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

"  He's  here;  just  coming  to  see  if  you  cared  to 
step  out,  for  the  air  is  very  fine,"  returned  a  mas- 
culine voice. 

Hastily  donning  wraps,  the  three  tourists 
alighted,  walking  rapidly  up  and  down  the  plat- 
form, watching  the  tongues  leap  from  the  stubble 
fire  as  it  silhouetted  against  the  sky.  As  the 
figures  passed  and  repassed,  the  shorter  of  the 
three  drew  an  arm  through  each  of  her  com- 
panions', saying, 

"  Now  I  have  two  very  good  protectors  —  my 
staunch  one  for  life,  and  my  newly  found  acquaint- 
ance, a  lady  M.D.";  for  which  the  speaker  re- 
ceived two  simultaneous  little  squeezes. 

"  Pleasing  little  lady.  But  how  about  that  son 
way  back  in  Massachusetts ;  would  you  not  rather 
he  stood  in  my  place?  What  say  you,  Mr.  Ray- 
nor?  Do  you  think  your  wife  would  exchange?  " 

"  Well,  Dr.  Moulton,  that  is  putting  the  ques- 
tion a  little  strong.  Eh!  Amelia?  " 

Just  then  a  warning  from  the  brakeman  put  a 
stop  to  any  more  banter,  and  they  all  hastened  to 
reenter  the  Pullman.  After  a  brief  visit  together, 
meanwhile  watching  the  fires  appear,  then  disap- 
pear, as  they  sped  on  into  the  night,  the  little  party 
separated,  the  doctor  reminding  her  new  acquaint- 
ances to  keep  one  eye  open  as  they  would  pass  a 
very  gayly  illumined  western  city  toward  morning, 
and  the  sweep  of  prairie  land  would  be  broken  by 
the  beginning  of  a  chain  of  mountains  which  would 
indeed  be  wonderful  to  view  by  the  morrow. 


CHAPTER  II 

Old  Sol  had  one  ardent  admirer  at  least  when  it 
rose  in  its  full  splendor  upon  the  following  day, 
for  Amelia  Raynor  had  watched  for  it  even  before 
she  had  seen  the  faint  flush  heralding  its  birth. 
She  had  been  awakened  by  some  commotion,  and 
lifting  her  curtain,  had  peered  out  upon  a  scene  of 
western  activity  —  gay  lights,  and  the  bustle  which 
attends  the  arrival  of  human  freight. 

From  then  on,  sleep  had  refused  to  be  wooed, 
and  finding  that  it  was  really  approaching  morn- 
ing, she  determined  to  witness  a  sunrise  above  the 
mountains  which  were  beginning  to  look  very  grim 
and  stern  as  they  were  silhouetted  against  the 
early  morning  sky. 

As  a  little  time  passed,  the  vapor  appeared  now 
and  then  between  the  ravines  of  the  mountains,  as 
if  a  veil  were  being  lifted  so  that  the  soft  shades  of 
morning  could  scintillate  through;  until  finally,  as 
she  again  looked,  she  saw  the  deeper  tints.  Then, 
as  the  desert  traveler  watches  until  he  sees  his 
longed-for  oasis,  so  Amelia  Raynor  gazed  until 
little  by  little  the  full-orbed,  light-giving  wonder 
appeared  over  the  rugged  mountain  range.  Al- 
most unconsciously  she  exclaimed, 

"  Horton  —  Horton !  Wake  up  and  see  this 
glorious  sight." 


4  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  came  a  deep  voice  from  the  rest- 
ing place  overhead,  and  soon  another  was  looking 
upon  the  sight  that  had  brought  not  only  the 
ejaculation,  but  tears  of  gratitude  to  the  eyes  of 
the  traveler  that  God  had  created  such  marvels  as 
she  had  been  permitted  to  look  upon. 

"  Ah,  Horton,  God  is  indeed  a  God  of  love. 
And  His  name  shall  be  called  wonderful." 

A  little  later  the  voice  of  the  porter  was  heard, 
stating  that  their  stopping  place  was  just  an  hour 
away. 

"  Well,  folks,  hope  you  rested  well,"  cheerily  ex- 
claimed Dr.  Mounton  as  they  met  after  hurried 
toilets.  "  I  myself  slept  like  a  beaver,  and,  if  you 
will  believe  me,  I  never  even  awakened  until  the 
porter  bellowed  out,  causing  me  to  jump  nearly 
out  of  my  berth.  But,  thank  fortune,  I  collected 
my  senses  in  time,  making  my  exit  in  a  respectable 
manner." 

"  Well,  Dr.  Moulton,  I  am  the  victor,  then,  for 
I  not  only  saw  your  illumined  western  city,  but  a 
glorious  sunrise,"  returned  Mrs.  Raynor. 

Thus  chatting,  the  trio  reached  the  station. 
Alighting,  they  found  a  four-horse  coach  awaiting 
them.  This  was  not  all,  for  in  majestic  sublimity 
rose  the  snow-capped  peaks,  standing  like  honored 
sentinels,  guarding  the  little  hamlet  which  nestled 
at  their  base. 

"  This  is  indeed  grand.  What  a  wonderful 
world  we  live  in!  Dr.  Moulton,  how  little  one 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  5 

knows  of  it  until  one  leaves  the  home  fire  and  be- 
comes for  a  time  a  rolling-stone." 

"  You  are  right,  Mr.  Raynor.  And  that  is  why 
you  see  before  y~u  a  lone  female,  for  I  will  see 
something  of  my  world.  And  as  I  have  not  been 
fortunate  enough  to  find  a  companion,  not  even 
for  a  trip,  you  see  I  am  doubly  grateful  to  tag 
along  with  kind  Mrs.  and  Mr.  Raynor." 


CHAPTER  III 

How  delightful  the  frosty  mountain  air  felt  to 
the  travelers,  who  had  breathed  so  little  ozone  the 
past  few  days.  As  the  horses  swung  into  a  fast 
pace  for  a  few  rods  the  breath  was  like  new  wine, 
bringing  the  color  to  the  face  and  a  sparkle  to  the 
eye.  The  streams  were  singing  loudly  their  morn- 
ing anthem,  while  the  whole  scene  was  one  of  ap- 
palling grandeur. 

It  soon  proved  to  be  a  steady  ascent,  but  the 
horses  were  faithful  to  their  task,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  first  nigh  one,  who  had  to  be  reminded 
by  a  touch  from  the  long  whip  that  he  could  not 
shirk.  They  had  a  very  trusty  friend,  who  shortly 
after  the  ride  began  insisted  upon  jumping  from 
off  his  seat  beside  the  driver,  running  and  frisking 
thereafter  the  whole  of  the  way  —  first  on  one  side 
of  his  friends,  then  on  the  other.  He  was  a  fine, 
intelligent  shepherd  collie,  so  clean  as  to  cause 
wonderment  until  the  driver  informed  his  passen- 
gers that  his  brother  would  be  awaiting  them  at  the 
door  of  the  chalet.  Surely  enough,  as  they  rose 
steadily  to  the  height  of  five  thousand  feet,  fifteen 
hundred  being  covered  from  the  station,  the  first 
life  to  meet  them  was  a  facsimile  of  their  guardian 
of  the  drive. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  7 

In  another  instant  the  driver,  with  a  flourish  of 
his  long  whip  and  a  blast  from  the  bugle,  drove 
under  the  porte-cochere,  face  to  face  with  a  scene 
long  to  be  remembered  by  all  upon  that  mountain 
coach.  Many  exclamations  of  wonderment  were 
made,  some  remaining  silent,  their  eyes  riveted  to 
the  sight,  their  lips  refusing  to  utter  what  their 
hearts  felt. 

Three  young  Japanese  porters  who  hastened 
forth  to  assist  with  the  luggage,  and  the  barking 
of  the  collies  soon  drew  the  guests'  attention  from 
the  sublime  to  the  practical,  for  a  time  at  least. 

As  they  were  ushered  into  the  large,  hospitable 
room,  Dr.  Moulton  noticed  tears  upon  the  lashes 
of  Mrs.  Raynor,  and  as  they  drew  near  to  the 
blazing  fire  which  snapped  and  leaped  in  unstinted 
cheer,  Mrs.  Raynor  exclaimed  as  she  sank  into  a 
seat, 

"  Horton,  my  husband,  I  expected  to  find  a  won- 
derful tinted  lake  and  a  stately  glacier,  but  I  have 
beheld  a  shrine." 


CHAPTER  IV 

A  delightful  sense  of  satisfaction  and  comfort 
soon  filled  the  tourists,  as  having  entered  the  small, 
cosy  anteroom,  leading  from  the  large  dining-hall, 
they  were  greeted  by  the  aroma  from  the  gener- 
ously filled  coffee  urn,  which  the  young  Jap,  garbed 
in  his  spotless  costume  of  white  linen,  had  placed 
before  them. 

His  face  was  very  bright  and  cheery  and  his 
smile  won  hearts  at  once.  Very  deftly  and  quietly 
he  arranged  the  accessories,  making  every  move- 
ment count,  until  he  seemed  like  a  statue  set  to 
motion,  so  softly  he  moved  about  in  his  sandaled 
feet;  while  the  golden  beverage,  together  with  the 
viands  the  lad  served  them,  proved  very  palatable 
indeed. 

After  a  little,  Dr.  Moulton  turned  to  the  lad, 
remarking,  "  These  poppies  are  very  lovely  —  they 
grow  here  I  expect." 

"  Ah,  yes  —  we  pick  them  every  morning,"  he 
returned,  showing  his  white  teeth  in  approved 
fashion. 

"  They  are  in  such  beautiful  shades  too,"  ex- 
claimed Mrs.  Raynor.  "  I  noticed  in  the  lounging- 
room  they  had  large  jardinieres  filled  with  them, 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  9 

the  same  as  here.  Come,  we  must  hasten  out  and 
view  them." 

Soon  they  were  again  out  in  the  clear,  life-giving 
morning  air,  standing  at  the  very  brink  of  the  lake, 
which  glowed  like  a  huge  opal  as  the  sun's  rays 
rested  here  and  softened  there  its  clear  surface. 

The  beautiful  glacier,  which  rose  so  majestically 
at  the  extreme  back  of  the  lake  to  the  height  of 
fourteen  thousand  feet  and  more,  did  indeed  give 
the  most  sublime  finish  to  the  enchanting  beauty  of 
the  scene. 

It  was  no  wonder  Amelia  Raynor  had  called  it  a 
shrine,  for  many  mortals,  whose  busy,  careless  lives 
had  in  a  measure  drawn  their  thoughts  from  daily 
communion  with  their  Creator,  had  paused,  as  if 
recalled  to  their  duty,  as  their  eyes  had  been  lifted 
in  silent  adoration  of  their  Father's  potency.  Not 
part  of  the  year,  but  for  all  time,  the  peaks  re- 
mained like  pillars  of  purity,  clothed  in  their  spot- 
less white,  outlined  at  times  regally  in  pure  gold, 
as  the  sun's  rays  lingered  lovingly  there. 

Having  gazed  in  raptures  until  she  could  almost 
carry  away  the  glorious  picture  —  so  stamped  was 
it  upon  her  mind's  gallery,  of  none  more  beautiful 
—  Mrs.  Raynor  was  gently  roused  from  her  silent 
adoration  by  a  glowing  bit  of  color  being  held 
close  to  her  face,  and  the  voice  of  Dr.  Moulton,  an- 
nouncing that  she  had  not  only  found  the  poppy 
bed,  but  that  she  had  been  bidden  to  help  herself. 

"  Come  and  see  what  a  stunning  border  they 
make." 


10  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

"  I  say,  ladies,  will  you  join  me  for  a  ride  upon 
this  rainbow  lake,"  called  Mr.  Raynor,  as  he  stood 
speaking  with  the  boatman  —  a  young  Jap  who 
was  hustling  about  getting  out  the  oars  and 
cushions,  jabbering  at  the  same  time: — "Very 
nice  —  very  nice." 

"  Oh,  yes,  indeed,  in  just  a  few  moments;  we  are 
upon  an  exploring  expedition  for  a  little  time," 
laughingly  called  back  Mrs.  Raynor,  as  the  doctor 
and  she  turned  to  visit  the  borderland  of  shaded, 
yellow  poppies. 

"  Now  this  is  fine.  I  would  like  to  row  myself, 
if  there  was  a  boat  ready.  I  have  not  had  an  oar 
in  my  hands  for  a  long  time,  hardly  since  my  col- 
lege days,"  remarked  Dr.  Moulton. 

"Well,  why  not,  Doctor?  There  is  a  mighty 
interesting  chap  just  come  into  the  boat  house;  a 
regular  Westerner,  a  native  of  the  place,  I  take  it; 
as  I  have  been  speaking  with  him  a  bit.  Let  me 
see  if  he  will  not  help  out." 

Instantly  and  before  Elanore  Moulton  had  time 
to  say  more,  a  young  fellow  of  about  twenty  stood 
beside  her.  Touching  his  sombrero,  he  began  at 
once  fitting  out  the  second  dory,  when  all  was  ready 
and  the  first  boat  had  pushed  off  with  the  Jap  at 
the  oar-locks. 

Dr.  Moulton,  always  ready  to  chat  and  glean 
any  information,  exclaimed,  "Would  you  mind 
putting  in  another  pair  of  oars  and  coming  too? 
I  have  not  rowed  for  a  long  time  and  may  be  very 
glad  for  a  helper  sooner  or  later." 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  11 

"  This  is  not  my  job,  but  I  will  give  you  a  lift 
if  you  like,"  came  the  answer  from  the  boyish  voice 
as  he  deftly  complied,  and  with  a  swift  push  they 
soon  glided  out  upon  the  beautiful  lake. 

The  doctor  rowed  well,  each  stroke  sending  the 
little  craft  well  forward  until  they  reached  the 
side  of  the  one  rowed  by  the  Jap,  who  was  still 
glibbering  in  the  most  approved  fashion.  Soon 
both  boats  came  to  a  narrow  part  of  the  lake,  seem- 
ingly directly  under  the  glacier. 

"  Oh,  how  beautiful  it  is,"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Ray- 
nor ;  "  that  little  cove  looks  very  tempting,  I  am 
sure.  I  would  like  to  go  a  little  farther,  but,  do 
you  know,  I  feel  a  bit  cool  and  perhaps  I  had  best 
go  back." 

"  Oh,  I  am  sorry,  but  I  would  like  to  row  a  while 
longer  —  it  seems  like  old  times.  Will  see  you  at 
luncheon  and  tell  you  of  all  the  wonders  and  beau- 
ties of  my  prolonged  stay,"  returned  Elanore 
Moulton. 

"  Oh,  remain  by  all  means,  Doctor.  I  see  you 
are  enjoying  it  and  the  picture  you  make  is  a  very 
pleasing  one.  Horton,  have  the  boatman  put  me 
ashore,  and  I  will  take  the  path  which  looked  so 
pretty  back  to  the  chalet." 

"  That  is  not  a  bad  idea,"  returned  Mr.  Raynor. 
"  I  think  a  bit  of  a  tramp  would  do  us  both  good." 
Then,  explaining  to  the  young  Jap  that  his  wife 
felt  cold,  they  made  their  landing  —  the  young 
boatman  being  very  happy  at  the  liberal  remunera- 
tion he  had  received ;  still  "  very  sorry  he  could  not 
row  the  Misses  back,"  he  kept  repeating. 


CHAPTER  V 

Dr.  Moulton  and  her  young  guide  were  soon 
hidden  from  view  by  the  little  cove  from  the  eyes  of 
the  two  on  shore.  As  the  little  boat  turned  into 
the  narrow  opening  such  a  picture  of  repose  and 
beauty  met  the  glance  of  the  lady  at  the  oars,  that 
she  well  nigh  dropped  them,  her  ecstasy  being  so 
great. 

"  Ah,  my  young  friend,  whoever  you  may  be,  I 
wonder,  do  you  appreciate  these  nature  scenes? 
Suppose  you  take  a  hand  at  the  oars  for  a  little 
and  I  will  occupy  the  observation  seat." 

For  a  few  moments  there  was  silence  between 
them,  Elanore  Moulton  wishing  the  Raynors  could 
see  the  glorious  picture.  Suddenly  she  was  roused 
by  the  boyish  voice  saying,  "  I  suppose  we  fellows 
about  here  do  not  care  much  about  nature  pic- 
tures, as  you  put  it,  but  I  have  a  sister  who  talks 
just  as  you  do.  I  guess  it  is  like  women  folks." 

"  Ah !  indeed,  and  has  she  seen  this  beautiful 
cove?  "  asked  his  companion. 

"  Oh,  yes,  Sis  goes  everywhere  —  she  is  quite  an 
explorer.  I  get  worried  over  her  sometimes,  but 
she  only  laughs  and  tells  me  she  can  look  after 

herself  and  me  too." 

12 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  13 

"  Good.  And  how  aged  is  this  sis  of  yours,  may 
I  ask?" 

"  Just  turned  eighteen,  and  as  good  a  chum  as 
ever  lived.  But  A  say,  Doc,"  continued  the  boat- 
man, "  I  like  you.  I  liked  you  as  soon  as  you  took 
the  oars  into  your  hands.  I  saw  you  knew  what 
you  were  about." 

A  smile  had  crept  into  the  eyes  of  his  companion 
at  his  brief  manner  of  addressing  her,  and  now  at 
the  conclusion  of  his  remarks  she  laughed  good 
humoredly.  "  Well,  that  is  pleasant  news.  My 
name  is  Moulton  and  I  am  from  Pennsylvania. 
Kindly  tell  me  yours." 

"  Very  good,  Doc.  I  have  a  handle  to  my  name 
also;  not  quite  so  fine  as  yours,  but  it  is  good 
enough  for  me.  It  is  Windy  Anderson,  though  my 
real  name  is  Alfred." 

A  peal  of  laughter  rang  forth  from  Dr.  Moul- 
ton's  lips  at  this  information. 

"  Well,  by  which  name  do  you  prefer  to  be 
called?" 

"  Well,  I  think  Windy  sounds  more  sociable- 
like."  At  which  they  both  laughed. 

"  Very  good  —  and  now,  Windy,  my  new  friend, 
tell  me  something  of  your  life  here,  for  I  take  it 
from  what  you  have  said  that  you  are  quite  familiar 
with  this  part  of  the  globe.  Where  do  you  live?  " 

"  Oh,  about  eight  miles  back  off  the  main  trail  — 
lived  there  about  six  years.  You  see,  Sis  and  me 
are  all  there  is  left  —  gets  pretty  lonesome  for  Sis 
sometimes  —  I  know  —  but  she  keeps  busy.  So 


14  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

do  I,  for  that  matter.  I  can't  begin  to  tell  you 
how  many  times  I've  climbed  the  trail  up  yonder 
this  summer." 

"  Trail  —  what  trail  ?  "  asked  his  companion, 
gazing  into  the  boyish  face,  whose  expression  of 
sudden  sorrow,  as  he  spoke  of  his  sis,  had  given 
place  to  one  of  lively  interest  as  he  spoke  of  the 
trail. 

"  Well,  you  see,  Doc,  that  is  partly  where  my 
income  hails  from.  I  am  a  guide  —  I  show  the 
guests  at  the  chalet  where  the  chain  of  lakes  lies  — 
for  there  are  more  than  this  one.  We  all  ride  the 
ponies  up  the  mountain.  Say,  Doc,  I  wish  you 
would  go." 

"  Well,  well,  Windy,  you  are  quite  a  lad  to  be 
sure  —  perhaps  I  will  —  who  knows.  How  far  is 
it?" 

This  time  it  was  Windy's  laugh  that  echoed 
forth  from  the  lovely  chasm,  through  which  the 
boat  was  slowly  gliding. 

"  Oh,  not  so  very  far,"  he  returned,  as  soon  as 
his  gayety  had  subsided.  "  But  straight,  straight 
as  a  die.  Have  you  ever  ridden  horseback?  "  he 
continued. 

"  No  —  that  is  one  of  the  sports  I  never  tried  — 
but  I  have  always  wanted  to.  Mrs.  Raynor,  the 
lady  who  was  in  the  other  boat,  has  been  wishing 
she  might,  and  has  been  speaking  about  it  for  the 
last  few  days.  She  has  ridden  quite  a  bit  in  days 
gone  by,  and  if  she  hears  of  the  trail  she  will  surely 
want  to  make  the  ascent." 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  15 

"  Then  you  will  too,  won't  you,  Doc  ?  And  I 
will  get  you  a  dandy  pony;  his  name  is  Spotty. 
He  is  as  careful  as  an  old  maid.  Oh !  I  mean  — 
old  lady,"  while  the  color  mounted  to  his  brow  as  he 
hastened  to  change  his  expression  of  speech. 

Elanore  Moulton  at  a  glance  took  in  his  di- 
lemma, but  her  sense  of  fun  got  the  better  of  her, 
as  she  repeated,  "  Old  maid  or  old  lady  —  which 
do  you  think  would  really  be  the  safer,  Windy?  " 

"  Oh,  I  know  you  could  have  been  married  a  heap 
of  times,  if  you'd  wanted  to  —  so  the  old  maid  did 
not  mean  you,  Doctor  Moulton,"  Windy  hastened 
to  explain,  although  his  color  was  still  far  deeper 
than  was  its  usual  tint. 

How  his  companion  did  laugh  —  she  laughed 
until  the  tears  came  into  her  eyes.  Then  she  ex- 
claimed, "  Well,  how  do  you  know  but  I  am  mar- 
ried? " 

"I  —  I  did  not  see  any  ring  —  but  that  funny 
green  stoned  one  upon  your  little  finger,  so  — " 

"  Oh,  Windy,  you  are  incorrigible  —  but  never 
mind,  you  guessed  right;  and  now,  what's  more,  I 
will  go  up  the  trail  with  you.  You  see  I  can,  as  I 
have  no  other  half  to  consult." 


CHAPTER  VI 

"  And  so  your  titled  young  guide  has  promised 
to  bring  all  the  necessary  accessories  for  the  climb 
up  the  trail,  providing  you  can  persuade  us  to 
make  the  ascent.  Well,  what  do  you  say,  Amelia? 
Shall  we  accept  and  allow  Dr.  Moulton  to  have  her 
protege  here  in  the  early  morning  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  Horton,  that  would  please  me  more 
than  anything  I  could  conceive  of,"  returned  Mrs. 
Raynor.  "  But  oh,  my  dears," —  and  here  she 
flashed  a  bright  smile  from  Dr.  Moulton  to  her 
husband  — "  I  am  sure  I  shall  have  to  be  strapped 
upon  my  pony,  for  as  neither  of  you  have  ever  sat 
a  horse  before,  and  you,  Doctor,  have  to  ride 
astride,  as  the  young  guide  has  advised,  I  shall  be 
chief  witness  to  the  blanched  cheeks  and  dilated 
eyes  of  you  both,  and  shall  be  so  convulsed  with 
laughter  that  I  shall  need  to  be  well  mounted." 

"  Well  I  like  that  —  what  say  you,  Mr.  Ray- 
nor? "  exclaimed  Dr.  Moulton,  as  she  helped  her- 
self to  another  after-dinner  mint.  "  If  the  morn- 
ing's venture  is  half  as  nice  as  this  table  d'hote 
dinner  has  been,  it  will  be  worth  the  attempt.  Do 
you  not  say  so  ?  " 

"  I  certainly  do,  and  did  you  ever  see  a  more 

artistic   setting  to   a  dining-room  ?  —  while  these 
16 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  17 

Jap  waiters  are  certainly  ideal.  I  would  like  to 
have  one  to  take  East  with  me.  As  to  Mrs.  Ray- 
nor's  laughing  her  sides  sore,  we  may  have  a  chance 
to  retaliate  when  we  see  her  in  one  of  Windy's 
don't-fits,  instead  of  outfits,"  returned  Mr.  Ray- 
nor,  sending  a  glance  of  admiration  to  the  charm- 
ingly gowned  figure  of  his  wife.  "  Now,  suppose 
we  adjourn  to  the  office  and  see  if  we  have  any  mail 
—  it  seems  as  if  we  are  quite  a  step  from  our  son 
and  friends  in  Massachusetts." 

"  Don't  say  son,  Mr.  Raynor,  until  after  our 
lark  to-morrow,  as  I  am  afraid  your  dear  little  wife 
will  not  carry  out  her  comedy  act  with  much  zest 
if  you  bring  up  too  forcibly  that  lad  of  hers  back 
in  the  States  —  eh,  dearie  ?  "  said  Elanore  Moul- 
ton,  linking  her  arm  within  that  of  her  lady  com- 
panion, and  together  they  left  the  well-appointed 
room. 

"  Do  you  know,  Doctor,  I  have  been  thinking 
quite  a  bit  about  this  lad  Alfred,  and  particularly 
his  sister.  Did  you  learn  her  name  ?  "  asked  Mrs. 
Raynor.  "  She  and  my  Robert  are  about  the  same 
age ;  fancy  my  lad  living  alone  in  such  a  wilderness, 
for  if  their  home  is  eight  miles  from  civilization  it 
can  be  little  better.  Then  both  their  parents  being 
dead,  it  seems  to  me  an  unusually  sad  affair." 

"  Yes,  I  too  have  had  that  incorrigible  youth  in 
my  own  thoughts,  most  of  the  time,  since  I  first 
looked  into  his  bright  eyes ;  and  do  you  know,  Mrs. 
Raynor,  the  lad  seems  to  have  a  very  good  educa- 
tion, notwithstanding  his  slangy,  pert  remarks. 


18  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

We  must  question  him  more  closely  to-morrow  and 
learn  of  his  plans  for  his  sister  and  himself." 

Later  in  the  evening  the  acquaintances  bade  each 
other  good  night,  promising  to  meet  for  an  early 
breakfast,  so  that  they  could  make  a  fresh  start 
on  their  much-anticipated  mountain  climb. 

After  reaching  her  room,  Elanore  Moulton 
busied  herself  for  a  little  time  in  arranging  her 
belongings;  then  turning  out  her  light  she  raised 
her  shade  for  a  view  of  the  glorious  picture  she 
knew  was  waiting  for  her  vision.  Yes,  there  in 
the  almost  awful  stillness  of  the  perfect,  early 
autumn  night,  gleaming  white  and  spectral,  stood 
the  glacier,  appearing  taller  and  more  stately  than 
ever,  while  the  lake  seemed  to  have  beckoned  the 
turrets  from  their  stern  repose  to  mingle  in  its 
depths,  such  was  the  reflection. 

Beautiful  as  it  was,  it  sent  an  almost  uncon- 
scious shiver  through  Dr.  Moulton,  as  she  gazed 
and  gazed  upon  its  almost  unrivaled  beauty.  Sud- 
denly upon  the  still  air  she  caught  a  sound,  then 
another,  and  ere  many  moments  had  elapsed  she 
beheld  a  lone  equestrian  galloping  toward  the 
chalet.  Nearer  and  nearer  he  came,  until  his  pass- 
ing under  the  porte-cochere  hid  him  from  her  view. 
She  was  about  to  return  her  gaze  again  to  the  sub- 
lime picture,  when  a  rap  sounded  at  her  door. 
Turning  from  the  window  she  called,  "  Come," 
thinking  it  must  be  the  maid,  when  who  should  con- 
front her  but  Windy  Anderson. 

"  Good    evening,    Doc.     Glad    you    are    in.     I 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  19 

brought  the  needed  —  they  will  be  sent  to  your 
rooms  soon.  Would  like  to  have  brought  them  up 
here  myself,  but  Miss  Young,  at  the  desk,  attends 
to  all  that." 

"  Well,  well,  Windy,  thank  you ;  but  come  in  for 
a  little  and  we  will  have  a  chat.  Did  you  just 
come  down  the  road  upon  your  pony  ?  " 

"  Yes,  but  how  did  you  know?  "  asked  the  lad, 
as  he  stepped  into  the  room,  and  took  the  seat 
which  was  proffered  him. 

"  Ah,  ha,  I  am  a  mind-reader  you  see  —  so  look 
out  for  me." 

"  Well,  I  should  say ;  but,  Doc,  you  will  look 
real  swell  to-morrow,  for  I  have  brought  you  my 
fringed  leather  jacket,  and  with  the  sombrero  you 
will  be  all  O.K.  I  was  so  glad  when  the  message 
came,  saying  you  were  going,  for  you  will  have  a 
day's  fun  you  will  never  forget." 

"  Now  look  here,  my  young  friend,  your  words 
sound  altogether  too  much  like  Mrs.  Raynor's. 
She,  with  tears  in  her  eyes,  from  laughter  at  her 
husband's  and  my  expense,  is  anticipating  much 
merriment  to-morrow,  and  the  fun  you  speak  of 
will  likely  be  yours  also  at  the  expense  of  our 
grotesqueness." 

"  Oh,  now,  Doc  —  I  did  not  — "  At  which  Dr. 
Moulton's  pretended  gravity  disappeared,  as  she 
laughingly  reassured  her  caller  that  she  knew  he 
was  sincere. 

"  And  now,  Windy,  tell  me  of  your  home  back 
in  the  wilds,  for  I  am  deeply  interested  in  you  and 


20  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

your  sis,  as  you  call  her.  By  the  way,  what  is  her 
name?  I  forgot  to  ask  you  yesterday." 

"  Her  name  is  Roma,  but  we  always  have  called 
her  Sister,  or  Sis.  You  see,  I  gave  her  the  name  of 
Sister  when  she  was  a  wee  mite,  for  she  is  younger 
than  I,  and  as  I  could  not  say  Roma  plainly  I  got 
in  the  way  of  saying  Sister,  and  then  as  we  grew 
older,  it  became  Sis." 

"  Roma ;  oh,  what  a  pretty  name,  and  it  has 
such  a  musical  sound ! "  exclaimed  Dr.  Moulton ; 
"  but,  .Windy,  how  did  you  ever  come  by  your 
nom  de  plume." 

"  Well,  it  was  like  this  —  Father  had  been  a 
bookkeeper  for  many  years,  but  his  health  began 
to  fail  and  so  he  and  Mother  talked  it  over  and 
decided  to  take  a  homestead,  hoping  that  by  the 
time  it  was  cleared,  Father  would  be  his  old  self 
again;  but  he  only  lived  just  two  years.  I  tell 
you,  it  was  pretty  tough  upon  Mother  then." 

Windy  gained  a  larger  portion  of  his  com- 
panion's liking  than  could  have  come  to  him  in 
many  ordinary  chats  by  the  audible  choking  and 
the  sudden  dashing  away  of  the  mist  that  rose  and 
trembled  upon  the  boyish  lashes. 

"  Then  it  was  up  to  Mother  —  with  me  to  fill  in 
the  gap,  which  I  tried  to  do,  but  Mother  just  could 
not  stand  such  a  strain  and  she  lived  only  a  few 
months  after  our  homestead  was  legally  ours." 

"  Oh,  Windy,  I  am  very  sorry  —  you  have,  in- 
deed, shouldered  a  heavy  burden  for  one  so  young. 
But  how  did  you  manage  to  pay  for  your  neces- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  21 

sities  ?  Did  your  father  leave  any  money  ?  "  in- 
quired Dr.  Moulton. 

"  No,  Father  did  not  have  very  much  when  we 
left  our  home  in  !:he  East,  for  we  came  from  Massa- 
chusetts, and  then  it  took  all  for  his  illness ;  but, 
of  course,  we  gained  the  right  to  our  home  as  we 
had  then  lived  there  more  than  half  of  the  required 
time.  Father  had  hired  some  of  the  natives  to  help 
him  build  our  house,  which  is  very  comfortable,  and 
you  would  call  it  unique.  It  is  of  logs,  of  course, 
but  they  are  nearly  hidden  from  view  by  ivy.  I 
believe  Mother  used  to  call  it  Boston  Ivy ;  at  any 
rate  an  old  neighbor  sent  her  some  plants  which 
she  set  out  and  it  was  Roma's  and  her  delight  to 
nurse  and  make  them  grow,  until  now  they  have 
even  partly  covered  the  field  stones  that  Father 
used,  here  and  there  as  he  put  in  a  chimney,  and 
also  a  few  stones  round  the  windows  to  sort  of  take 
the  place  of  sashes.  There  are  also  a  couple  of 
posts  at  the  end  of  our  piazza  —  for  we  have  one, 
Doc,  even  if  we  do  live  in  the  wilds  —  and  from  it 
we  see  glorious  sunsets  which  Roma  loves  so  well." 

"  I  just  want  to  see  your  Roma,  for  I  feel  she 
must  be  quite  an  unusual  girl,"  interrupted 
Windy's  companion.  "  Will  you  take  me  to  see 
her  some  day  after  I  have  learned  to  stick  on  to 
a  pony?  " 

"  That  I  will  —  and  I  will  show  you  a  fireplace 
that  is  one,  for  that  is  the  foremost  attraction  of 
our  '  Snugey.'  So  now  you  see,  Doc,  that  is  why 
I  have  been  guiding  parties  up  the  trail  to  view 


22  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

the  chain  of  lakes  you  will  visit  to-morrow  —  so 
that  I  might  earn  a  little  filthy  lucre  to  keep  the 
larder  filled.  That  is  also  why  I  gained  the  title  of 
'  Windy,'  for  I  made  it  a  point  of  entertaining  my 
parties,  so  that  I  might  take  a  larger  mite  home. 
On  account  of  my  being  so  newsy  the  other  guides 
began  to  call  me  Windy,  and  I  have  been  called 
so  ever  since.  I  must  skip  along  now,  for  Sis  will 
be  waiting  up  for  me  and  it  is  getting  late.  So. 
good  night,  Doc.  I  will  be  on  hand  in  the  morn- 

ing." 

Rising,  he  turned  to  leave  the  room,  but  Dr. 
Moulton  detained  him  by  crossing  over  to  his  side 
and  putting  her  hand  upon  his  shoulder,  while  with 
an  unusual  degree  of  kindness,  she  said: 

"  Good  night,  my  young  friend.  Thank  you 
for  your  kindness  in  coming  here.  Give  your  sis- 
ter my  best  wishes  and  tell  her  I  shall  make  it  in 
my  way  to  see  her  very  soon." 


CHAPTER  VII 

The  next  morning  Dr.  Moulton  was  astir  very 
early,  for  there  were  some  letters  she  felt  she  must 
send  by  the  day's  mail,  and  as  they  had  planned  on 
a  rather  lengthy  climb  she  thought  best  to  have 
business  before  pleasure.  She  had  drawn  her 
table  near  the  window,  and  every  now  and  then  she 
would  pause  and  gaze  upon  the  wondrous  picture 
gleaming  bright  as  a  morning  star  amid  its  sur- 
roundings. She  had  been  putting  the  picture  on 
paper,  by  sending  the  details  to  the  widowed 
mother  she  had  left  in  the  home  so  dear  to  them 
both  in  the  East.  Nor  did  she  leave  out  the 
description  of  Windy,  her  young  friend.  She 
wanted  to  speak  of  the  ride  she  was  looking  for- 
ward to  so  eagerly,  but,  fearing  it  might  cause  her 
mother  anxiety,  she  refrained;  but  as  her  eyes 
rested  on  the  really  artistic  jacket  and  sombrero, 
she  added  this  postscript, 

Never  mind,  Mother,  I  shall  have  among  my  col- 
lection some  kodak  mementos,  which  will  not  only 
be  good  for  the  blues,  but  may  show  you  your 
daughter  as  a  very  daring  tourist.  And  now  I  must 
go  and  have  my  breakfast  for  I  am  as  hungry  as  an 
early  riser  should  be. 

23 


24*  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

Upon  meeting  the  Ray  nor  s,  she  related  to  them 
the  very  pleasant  call  she  had  received  the  previous 
evening  after  leaving  them.  Also  that  her  desire 
to  see  the  "Sis,"  as  the  lad  called  the  girl  Roma, 
was  very  great. 

"  Can  we  not  plan  to  see  her  to-morrow  ?  You 
see,  Mr.  Raynor,  you  and  I  will  have  gotten  our 
sea  legs  on  by  that  time  and  will  be  all  ready  for 
another  voyage.  And  now  I  will  meet  you  both 
very  shortly.  The  side  porch  is  where  Windy  in- 
formed me  he  would  be  with  the  ponies.  Have  you 
your  sporting  blood  up,  Mr.  Raynor?  I  will 
gather  mine  together,  ere  I  again  see  you.  We 
know  our  little  lady  here  will  only  have  to  spend 
her  energy  in  suppressing  that  abundance  of  jollity 
she  expects  to  have  such  excess  of  in  beholding  our 
antics  —  Eh,  my  dear?  " 

Here  Elanore  Moulton  gave  her  companion  a 
friendly  little  pat  and  turned  to  leave.  Amelia 
Raynor,  however,  detained  her,  exclaiming  that  she 
thought  it  would  be  a  very  good  idea  to  take  along 
an  anesthetic,  "  For,  if  when  about  to  make  the 
descent,  Horton  or  yourself  should  find  your 
courage  had  taken  wings,  you  could  still  be  brought 
to  the  depths  below,  even  though  in  an  unconscious 
state." 

u  There  she  goes  again,  Doctor,  poking  fun  at 
poor  we,  us  and  co.  But  we  must  hurry  now  or 
our  friend  Windy  will  get  impatient,"  laughed 
Horton  Raynor. 

Just  as  the  tall  clock  that  stood  in  the  recess  of 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  £5 

the  inner  hall  chimed  the  half  after  seven,  Elanore 
Moulton  appeared,  transformed  into  a  veritable 
Western  cowboy.  Very  natty,  indeed,  she  looked, 
attired  in  Windyjs  fringed  jacket,  while  the  som- 
brero was  highly  becoming.  The  divided  skirt 
secretly  caused  her  some  annoyance,  but  she  felt 
that  she  must  be  a  thorough  sport,  so  acted  ac- 
cordingly. As  she  stepped  out  upon  the  porch 
under  the  porte-cochere,  she  found  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Raynor  already  there,  both  looking  very  smart  and 
their  faces  full  of  much  merriment. 

"  So,  ho,  my  lady  mountaineer,  you  are  charm- 
ing and  most  punctual !  "  exclaimed  Amelia  Ray- 
nor, "  But,  my  dear,  I  am  sorry  that  I  have  a  little 
disappointment  I  must  acquaint  you  with." 

"  Where  is  Windy?  Who  is  that  lad  with  the 
ponies  ?  Are  we  to  have  two  guides  ?  "  suddenly 
inquired  Dr.  Moulton,  as  the  lad  drew  nearer  the 
steps,  leading  the  ponies. 

"  That  is  my  news,"  returned  Mrs.  Raynor. 
"  Windy  sent  this  guide  to  tell  us  that  he  was  never 
so  sorry  about  anything  in  his  life  as  that  he  could 
not  go  with  us  this  morning,  but  that  it  was  such 
a  swell  morning  he  advised  us  to  go.  He  also  said 
he  would  see  us  later  and  explain  how  it  had  hap- 
pened." 

"  Oh,  I  am  sorry,  for  Windy  was  so  pleased  when 
he  gained  our  acquiescence  —  but,  never  mind;  it 
is,  as  he  says,  a  swell  morning,  and  we  have  a  game 
of  excelsior  before  us." 

The  new  guide  seemed  a  first-rate  sort  of  fellow, 


26  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

whose  name  was  Joe,  and  as  Dr.  Moulton  had  in- 
sisted upon  mounting  first,  as  she  wished  Mrs. 
Raynor  by,  as  well  as  the  guide,  she  straightway 
made  the  acquaintance  of  the  rather  meek-looking 
animal  into  whose  keeping  she  was  about  to  re- 
linquish herself.  With  much  laughing  and  a 
goodly  amount  of  chatting,  she  soon  found  her- 
self sitting  very  straight  and  tall  upon  the  back 
of  Spotty,  her  four-footed  friend. 

Mrs.  Raynor  was  the  next  to  find  her  seat  upon 
a  very  pretty  bay  pony,  Dolly  by  name.  It  seemed 
just  a  bit  awkward  to  her  at  first  to  find  her  feet 
both  encased,  but  being  so  used  to  the  saddle  she 
soon  became  accustomed  to  it. 

Mr.  Raynor  had  a  roan,  named  Polly,  which 
fell  to  his  lot,  and  he  mounted  with  much  fun  at  his 
own  expense. 

Soon  the  trio  were  out  under  the  blue  dome  of 
heaven  and  had  turned  their  ponies'  heads  to  fol- 
low Joe  and  his  rather  spirited  animal,  which  he 
called  Scotty.  He  had  hastened  ahead  of  his 
party,  after  seeing  that  they  were  properly  ar- 
ranged. Past  the  beautiful  lake  they  took  their 
way,  Dr.  Moulton  and  Mrs.  Raynor  riding  side 
by  side,  while  Mr.  Raynor  followed  as  their  body- 
guard. 

Soon  the  chalet  was  left  in  the  dim  background, 
while  almost  from  the  start  the  trail  proved  a 
steady  ascent.  How  beautiful  everything  looked 
in  the  fresh  newness  of  the  early  morning!  The 
woods,  as  they  entered  them,  seemed  so  silent,  as 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  27 

if  the  awakening  of  the  new  day  had  not  as  yet 
been  manifested.  A  delicate  aroma  greeted  them 
from  the  pines  that  stood  tall  and  spectral  upon 
either  side. 

"  Ah,  my  dear  Mrs.  Ray  nor,  is  it  not  good  just 
to  be  alive  upon  such  a  morning  as  this  —  not  to 
mention  sitting  a  fiery  steed,  as  straight  as  a 
brigand?"  called  forth  Elanore  Moulton,  for  the 
little  party  were  now  riding  single  breasted  up  the 
rather  steep  incline. 

"  It  is  indeed,  and  I  would  give  a  good  deal  for 
your  picture  which  I  mean  to  snap  before  our  ride 
is  o'er,"  gayly  returned  her  companion. 

"  I  can  tell  you  one  thing ;  it  is  not  the  last  ride 
I  shall  take,  for  just  to  breathe  this  scented  air 
would  make  me  almost  willing  to  risk  breaking 
any  one's  camera,"  answered  Dr.  Moulton. 

Slowly  and  with  certainty  in  their  every  step, 
the  ponies  bore  their  burdens  up  —  up  —  always 
up ;  stopping  ever  and  anon  to  rest  or  to  snatch  a 
morsel  from  some  leafy  twig  that  came  temptingly 
near.  Now  and  then  the  chattering  of  a  squirrel 
or  the  scampering  through  the  underbrush  of  some 
little  mountain  rabbit,  would  cause  the  ponies  to 
sniff  the  air  as  if  bidding  their  forest  friends  a 
cheery  good  morning. 

"  I  say,  Doctor,"  called  the  cheery  voice  of  Mr. 
Raynor,  "  are  you  going  to  walk,  ride  or  roll  down 
this  mountain  trail?  I  have  begun  to  grow  gray, 
just  contemplating  the  thought  of  how  in  thunder 
I  am  to  reconnoiter." 


28  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

How  the  woods  resounded  with  laughter  at  this 
outburst  from  the  aide-de-coup!  Even  Scotty, 
the  leader  of  the  little  band,  laid  his  ears  back  as 
if  to  take  in  the  cheeriness  which  vibrated  through- 
out the  air. 

"  Well,  as  to  the  descent,  I  cannot  answer  you, 
Mr.  Raynor.  What  I  was  thinking  just  now  was 
that  I  did  not  wish  to  reach  the  top,  for  it  is  so 
beautiful  here —  Why,  it  is  like  a  crystal  maze, 
and  when  we  reach  the  top  we  must  descend  and 
then  our  fun  will  be  upon  the  decline." 

"  I  say,  Joe,"  continued  Dr.  Moulton,  as  she 
called  to  the  guide  who  was  some  little  higher  up 
the  path,  "  how  much  longer  are  we  to  be  per- 
mitted the  excitement  of  this  climb  ?  " 

"  For  about  one-half  hour  I  should  say,  miss, 
and  then  you  will  see  a  picture  you  will  never  for- 
get. The  twin  lakes  are  seven  thousand  five  hun- 
dred feet  above  the  sea,  and  you  will  have  climbed 
two  thousand  feet.  Not  bad  for  a  first  one, 
miss." 

"  No,  not  bad ;  but  I  wonder  if  Spotty  here, 
good  creature,  knew  how  my  heart  beat  the  first 
half  hour,  and  only  for  the  beauty  of  the  woods 
he  might  have  beaten  a  hasty  retreat  and  without  a 
rider." 

As  they  advanced  toward  the  top  of  the  trail 
the  light,  which  glinted  in  some  times  in  patches, 
then  again  in  floods  of  sunlight,  converted  the  scene 
into  a  perfect  bower  of  bright,  dainty  freshness 
and  serene  loveliness,  until  one  felt  that  to  be  a 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  29 

veritable  child  of  nature  was  to  be  the  envy  of  all 
God's  creatures. 

Windy  was  right.  Dr.  Moulton  uttered  to  her- 
self, "  I  have  enjoyed  this  ride,  hugely,  but  the  lad 
himself  —  I  am  sorry  he  could  not  have  been  my 
guide ;  but  then  I  shall  see  both  him  and  that  sis  of 
his  before  I  go  back  to  my  busy  life  again."  Just 
here  her  soliloquy  was  interrupted  by  Joe  remark- 
ing that  they  would  see  the  gigantic  Beehive  Moun- 
tain in  a  few  minutes  that  separated  the  lakes,  and 
that  now  very  soon  they  would  be  at  the  top. 

Sure  enough,  after  another  few  deep  pants  upon 
the  part  of  the  ponies  —  for  it  seemed  even  steeper 
just  here  than  at  any  other  part  of  the  ascent  — 
the  little  party  realized  that  Excelsior  would  be 
proclaimed.  Joe  had  already  dismounted  and  was 
tying  Scotty  to  a  tree,  meanwhile  calling  to  the 
trio  that  he  would  soon  help  them,  as  they  would 
have  to  walk  a  little  way  if  they  wished  to  view 
the  second  lake. 

"  Well,  well,  here  we  are,  to  be  sure !  "  exclaimed 
Mr.  Raynor,  as  Polly  appeared  upon  the  wide 
clearing  which  the  other  sure-footed  creatures  with 
their  riders  had  gained,  and  were  waiting  to  be 
released  from  their  burdens,  "  I  tell  you,  Doctor, 
these  ponies  are  very  faithful,  and  it  would  not  be 
a  bad  idea  for  many  of  the  human  family  to  profit 
by  their  example." 

Here  they  began  to  climb  the  steep  pass  of  some 
two  hundred  feet,  to  where  the  twin  lakes  lay 
concealed. 


30  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

They  were  very  busy  chatting,  when  their  rather 
labored  breathing  permitted,  when  all  at  once  Ela- 
nore  Moulton  happened  to  glance  to  the  extreme 
height  of  the  climb  and  there  her  gaze  rested  upon 
a  picture  such  as  an  artist  would  have  made  him- 
self immortal  by,  could  he  have  converted  it  to 
canvas  as  she  beheld  it. 

"  Oh !  "  came  from  her  parted  lips,  in  such  an 
awed  tone  that  Mrs.  Ray  nor,  who  was  directly 
behind  her,  felt  that  something  had  befallen  her 
friend,  and  only  when  she  too  had  gazed  up  to  the 
place  where  Elanore  Moulton's  eyes  seemed  riveted, 
did  she  understand. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

For  a  moment  both  Dr.  Moulton  and  Amelia 
Raynor  felt  that  they  must  be  witnesses  to  an  ap- 
parition, so  silent  did  the  figure  appear.  The  pic- 
ture which  had  drawn  the  ejaculation  from  Ela- 
nore  Moulton  had  been  a  slight  girlish  one,  garbed 
in  a  simple  dress  of  brown  homespun,  while  at  the 
slender  throat  was  knotted  a  kerchief  of  scarlet. 
The  wind  had  blown  the  soft  brown  hair  over  her 
shoulder  until  one  could  scarcely  tell  where  hair 
and  dress  met,  save  from  a  patch  of  scarlet  which 
held  the  braid  of  wavy  hair  and  lent  the  bit  of 
color  to  the  scene ;  while  a  face,  in  which  suppressed 
amusement  vied  with  curiosity,  looked  down  upon 
them  as  she  stood  in  the  doorway  of  a  most  un- 
usual-looking abode. 

Several  years  previous  there  had  been  built  at 
the  summit  of  the  trail  a  shelter  for  tourists.  It 
had  proved  a  haven  from  storm,  and  also  a  place 
to  retire  when  the  rather  difficult  climb  by  foot  had 
been  completed,  which  was  necessary,  after  leaving 
the  ponies,  in  order  to  view  the  second  lake. 

This  the  slip  of  a  girl,  standing  there  with  her 
gray  eyes  riveted  upon  the  little  party,  had  been 
a  witness  to.  She  little  realized  the  charm  her  ap- 
pearance presented  to  the  two  ladies,  who  reluc- 

31 


32  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

tantly  withdrew  their  eyes  from  the  attractive  pic- 
ture to  resume  the  short  climb  that  would  bring 
them  to  her  side. 

"  Well,  of  all  things!  who  can  that  child  be?  " 
softly  questioned  Amelia  Raynor  of  her  friend. 

"  I  will  soon  tell  you,"  was  the  subdued  answer 
from  Dr.  Moulton,  who  with  a  last  gigantic  stride 
had  finished  her  task  and  now  stood  with  eyes  once 
more  looking  upon  the  young  stranger.  Elanore 
Moulton,  in  the  few  minutes  which  elapsed  for  her 
to  reach  the  side  of  the  girl,  had  been  conscious  of 
a  magnetic  personality,  and  when  she  heard  her 
own  voice  saying,  "  Roma,"  and  felt  the  soft  clasp 
of  a  little  brown  hand  in  hers,  it  seemed  to  her  only 
perfectly  natural  that  this  child  should  be  there 
waiting  to  greet  her. 

"  And  this  is  the  lady  that  Broth  has  told  me  of 
—  and  whom  he  thinks  is  right  nice.  He  could 
not  come  to-day,  so  all  of  a  sudden  I  took  it  into 
my  head  that  I  would  beat  him  out  and  here  I  am," 
exclaimed  the  girl,  showing  a  great  degree  of  ani- 
mation as  she  thought  of  the  surprise  it  would  be 
to  that  brother  when  he  should  learn  of  it. 

"  Yes,  Roma,  my  child,"  returned  Dr.  Moulton, 
"  this  is  your  brother's  friend  and  I  hope  yours 
also.  I  have  been  most  anxious  to  see  you,  for 
Windy  has  spoken  so  much  of  you.  Mrs.  Raynor, 
this  is  Roma,  the  Sis  of  our  friend  Windy.  I  knew 
it  the  moment  my  eyes  rested  upon  her,  partly  from 
her  brother's  description  and  partly  from  premoni- 
tion." 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  33 

Mrs.  Raynor  here  took  the  girlish  hand  into  her 
own  as  Elanore  Moulton  reluctantly  released  it, 
and  drawing  the  child  closely  to  her,  said,  "  I  also 
am  very  glad  to  know  you,  Roma.  I  have  a  son 
many  miles  from  here  whom  I  have  not  seen  for 
several  weeks,  and  I  think  you  must  be  about  the 
same  age." 

"  I  am  nearly  eighteen.  Brother  says  he  is  to 
give  me  something  fine  this  year,  for  it  is  a  birth- 
day a  girl  should  not  forget.  Do  you  think  he  is 
right?  "  Roma  asked,  as  she  allowed  Mrs.  Raynor 
to  embrace  her. 

"  I  tell  you  that  brother  of  yours  is  quite  a 
chap,  Roma,  if  I  am  any  judge  of  lads.  But  here 
comes  Mr.  Raynor  and  Joe,"  exclaimed  Dr.  Moul- 
ton. 

"  Oh,  was  your  guide  Joe  ?  "  Roma  asked.  "  I 
am  glad;  he  is  'most  my  brother  too.  I  did  not 
know  who  was  to  show  you  the  trail.  I  would  have 
liked  to,  but  was  afraid  Broth  would  not  let  me,  so 
did  not  ask  him,  but  just  got  a  start  ahead  of  you, 
and  well  —  here  I  am." 

The  words  were  scarcely  finished  when  Mr.  Ray- 
nor joined  them,  and  Roma  was  presented  to  him. 
Meanwhile,  Joe  had  stood  a  little  back  of  the 
group,  but  never  once  did  his  large  dark  eyes  leave 
the  face  of  the  girl  who  stood  there,  the  center  of 
all,  in  her  simple  naive  attractiveness.  Elanore 
Moulton,  wishing  to  speak  with  the  guide,  turned 
to  step  toward  him,  when  she  intuitively  turned 
again  from  her  project  for  the  light  which  radi- 


34  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

ated  from  his  glance,  as  it  fell  absorbed  on  the 
girl,  was  one  which  she  felt  had  best  remain  undis- 
turbed, at  least  by  her. 

By  the  time  Roma  had  turned  to  greet  Joe,  which 
she  soon  did  in  her  sweet  frank  way,  every  trace  of 
the  look  which  had  rested  there  so  recently  had 
vanished.  He  simply  remarked  that  he  had  not 
expected  to  see  her  again  until  evening,  although 
he  noticed  all  the  way  up  the  trail  fresh  foot- 
prints, but  had  not  thought  she  was  before  him. 

"  That  was  funny,  Joe ;  funny  you  did  not  hear 
Gypsy's  whinney,  for  she  made  that  queer  little  one 
of  hers,  several  times,  on  the  ascent,  and  now  I 
must  go  for  her,"  Roma  exclaimed  as  she  started  to 
turn  from  the  little  circle. 

"  Why,  where  is  she,  Roma?  "  Joe  asked.  "  I 
shall  fetch  her.  Is  she  in  that  little  clearing  you 
like  so  well,  under  the  clump  of  pines  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Joe,  but  how  well  you  remember.  It  is  a 
long  time  since  Broth,  you,  and  I  rested  there  to- 
gether. I  should  have  thought  you  would  have 
forgotten  all  about  it  before  this.  But,  thank 
you,  if  you  will  bring  her,  for  I  want  to  ride  back 
with  you  all,"  returned  the  girl. 

To  Dr.  Moult  on,  who  could  not  but  overhear 
the  conversation,  there  was  but  added  proof  in  the 
little  dialogue  to  confirm  the  glance  she  had  seen 
from  Joe  that  unconscious  love,  deep  and  true  and 
not  of  a  brotherly  nature,  was  his  for  the  girl 
Roma. 

"  And  now,  folkses,  I  want  your  pictures,  singly 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  35 

and  collectively,"  announced  Mrs.  Raynor,  as  she 
began  to  perch  her  head  first  on  one  side  then  on 
the  other,  planning  for  the  poses.  "  Doctor,  we 
would  feel  that  naif  of  our  climb  up  the  trail  had 
been  thrown  away  if  we  did  not  have  Roma's  pic-1 
ture  to  take  home  with  us,  would  we  not?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  that  we  would ;  and,  Roma  dear,  would 
you  mind  standing  again  in  the  doorway  of  the 
'  Refuge,'  as  you  call  it,  so  we  may  have  your  own 
self  just  as  we  first  saw  you?  "  asked  Dr.  Moulton. 

"  All  right  —  I  will ;  but  when  Joe  fetches 
Gypsy  you  must  take  her  picture,  for  she  is  my 
own  beauty  j  and  is  like  my  second  self,  as  she  shares 
much  of  my  time,  and  fun,"  exclaimed  Roma,  as 
she  hastened  to  comply  with  the  wish  for  her  photo- 
graph. 

Gypsy  proved  to  be  all  that  her  mistress  had 
said  of  her  —  a  beauty  of  the  buckskin  type,  of  a 
perfect  cream,  while  her  mane  and  tail,  which  were 
white,  were  full  and  long.  A  real  circus  horse, 
Joe  used  to  call  her,  until  one  day  he  had  been  very 
forcibly  informed  by  Roma  that  she  was  nothing 
of  the  sort,  and  that  she  did  not  wish  to  have  her 
called  such,  for  Gypsy  had  too  much  dignity  for  a 
pony  of  that  calling.  From  that  day  she  had  been 
Gypsy,  nothing  else,  as  far  as  Joe  had  been  con- 
cerned. 

"  And  now,  Roma,  that  we  have  viewed  the  twin 
lakes,  I  think  you  had  best  lead  our  procession 
when  we  descend  the  trail,  letting  the  Doctor  here 
follow,  while  Joe  and  Mrs.  Raynor  keep  an  eye 


36  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

upon  me;  for  if  I  am  going  to  retreat  other  than 
upon  shank's  mare,  I  feel  I  must  need  a  double 
bodyguard,"  seriously  exclaimed  Mr.  Raynor. 

With  much  merriment  the  party  picked  their 
way  back  to  where  the  ponies  were  waiting  them, 
Joe  having  led  the  buckskin  for  Roma,  and  now 
they  were  all  mounted  once  more  and  ready  for  the 
return  to  the  chalet. 

If  Roma  had  been  a  picture  worth  remembering 
when  looking  forth  upon  nature  from  the  door  of 
the  "  shelter,"  she  was  equally  such  when  sitting 
in  her  graceful,  natural  attitude  upon  the  back  of 
her  beloved  Gypsy,  who  seemed  to  feel  so  proud 
when  bearing  her  slight  body,  while  she  shook  her 
mane  ever  and  anon  in  the  most  approved  fashion. 
It  was  the  simplest  thing  in  the  world  for  Roma  to 
ride  side-saddle  even  down  the  trail,  which  she  did 
much  of  the  way.  At  the  start,  Dr.  Moulton  had 
shown  faint  traces  of  nervousness,  which  Roma  had 
been  keen  enough  to  detect,  though  with  much  tact- 
fulness  she  had  refrained  from  saying  so ;  simply 
remarking,  as  she  saw  how  tightly  the  Doctor 
grasped  Spotty's  bridle,  that,  "  It  is  so  wonder- 
ful, but  the  ponies  never  make  a  misstep  if  you  let 
them  feel  their  own  way." 

"  Well,  you  little  witch,"  Elanore  Moulton  re- 
turned, "  you  are  surely  Windy's  Sis,  and  thank 
you  for  giving  me  a  hint  in  such  a  charming  man- 
ner." 

A  little  later,  as  she  felt  more  secure  in  her  sad- 
dle, she  learned  much  of  the  life  and  likings  of 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  37 

her  young  companion.  Learned  of  the  depth  of 
her  love  for  the  only  brother,  and  that  he  was  al- 
most her  only  relative.  That  of  girls  and  their 
way  she  simply  knew  nothing,  for,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  her  mother,  she  had  scarcely  spoken  with 
other  than  men  or  lads  since  leaving  her  home  in 
the  East.  She  was  but  a  simple  child  of  nature, 
and  what  wonder  of  her  love  for  the  woods  and 
mountains  —  had  they  not  been  her  companions, 
her  confidant,  her  almost  all?  In  them  she  had 
recognized  God's  greatness  and  beauty  —  a  bless- 
ing, indeed,  they  had  been  to  the  lonely  child. 

When  nearing  the  last  half  of  the  trail,  Roma 
gave  a  shout  of  delight  and  in  a  twinkling  sprang 
from  her  saddle.  With  a  sudden  movement,  ex- 
tending her  hand  a  trifle  from  the  path  which  had 
been  worn  by  the  constant  plodding  of  the  ponies, 
she  brought  forth  and  held  to  Dr.  Moulton's  as- 
tonished gaze  a  circlet  of  gold,  while  the  light  as 
it  fell  upon  it  was  not  brighter  than  her  eyes,  as 
she  exclaimed,  "  Oh,  it  is  a  perfect  beauty  of  a 
ring.  Who  do  you  suppose  lost  it  ?  " 

"  Well,  Roma  child,  how  in  this  world  did  you 
see  it  away  from  the  path  where  it  lay  —  and  how 
nicely  it  fits,"  returned  her  companion,  for  the  girl 
had  instantly  put  it  on  her  finger  and  was  now 
gazing  in  admiration  at  it.  "  It  is  what  is  called 
a  signet  ring,  dear,  and  here  are  the  initials 
A.  E.  P.  in  the  form  of  a  monogram." 

"  Oh,  dear,  I  am  sorry  it  has  that  upon  it,  for 
if  I  should  not  find  the  one  who  lost  it  —  and  I  do 


38  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

so  hope  I  won't  —  it  will  seem  all  the  time  as  if  it 
were  really  and  truly  some  one  else's  when  I  want 
to  believe  it  is  all  mine.  You  see,  I  never  had  a 
ring1  before.  Mother  had  one  but  it  was  left  upon 
her  finger," —  here  a  shadow  fell  athwart  the  young 
face,  reminding  Elanore  Moulton  of  a  similar  one 
she  had  seen  upon  the  brother's.  "  But  I  hear 
the  others  coming,  so  we  must  move  along,"  con- 
tinued Roma,  as  she  hastened  to  her  seat  in  the 
saddle.  "  Please  do  not  say  anything  about  my 
finding  it,  Dr.  Moulton,  as  I  would  like  to  sur- 
prise both  Broth  and  Joe,"  suddenly  Roma  broke 
out. 

"  No,  indeed,  I  will  not  mention  anything  rela- 
tive to  it  —  and  I  — " 

But  here  Roma's  voice  interrupted  her  saying, 
"  I  only  mean  for  to-night,  for,  of  course,  you  or 
Brother  must  inquire  at  the  chalet  if  any  one  has 
lost  one.  I  will  put  it  into  my  handkerchief  and 
to-night  I  will  put  it  on  when  I  am  getting  the 
boys'  supper." 

How  bright  the  girl's  face  appeared  all  the  rest 
of  the  homeward  way  and  what  an  expressive  face 
hers  was!  Dr.  Moulton  felt  that  she  would  like 
that  girlish,  animated,  little  creature  always  be- 
side her,  for  she  had  already  found  a  deal  to  ad- 
mire in  Windy's  Sis. 

And  when  a  little  later  she,  together  with  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Raynor,  urged  Roma  to  come  in  and  take 
tea  with  them,  she  admired  her  still  more;  for, 
after  thanking  them,  Roma  added,  "  Not  to-night, 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  39 

for  what  would  my  two  boys   do  without  their 
cook?" 

Promising  to  ride  down  with  Windy  the  next 
day  however,  she  bade  them  good-by  —  telling  Mr. 
Raynor  she  thought  he  had  acted  first  rate.  Joe 
and  she  then  giving  the  reins  to  their  ponies,  were 
soon  lost  to  view  as  they  started  for  their  home,  up 
another  trail,  in  the  opposite  direction  from  the 
chalet. 


CHAPTER  IX 

"  And  so  this  is  the  place  your  father  and  my 
uncle  hove  to,  is  it,  when  he  so  unceremoniously 
left  the  East  for  parts  unknown  ?  "  The  speaker 
was  a  short  thick-set  lad  of  some  years  the  senior 
of  Windy  Anderson,  to  whom  he  addressed  his 
question. 

"  Yes,  Father  brought  his  family  here  some 
years  ago.  It  did  not  look  then  much  as  it  does 
to-day  —  for  I  can  tell  you  there  has  been  much 
hard  work  put  in  since  those  days." 

"  H'm  —  then  it  was  hard  work  which  killed 
your  father,  eh?  I  thought  like  as  not  it  was 
worry."  Here  the  speaker  seated  himself  in  one 
of  the  very  chairs  the  dead  man's  hands  had  fash- 
ioned from  pine  boughs,  and  taking  from  his 
pocket  a  rather  large  and  gaudy  cigarette  case, 
opened  it,  and  helping  himself  to  a  weed  he  was 
about  to  return  the  case  to  his  pocket,  hesitated, 
and  in  a  rather  patronizing  tone  exclaimed,  "  Will 
you  smoke  ?  " 

"  No  —  not  just  now,"  was  Windy 's  reply ; 
"  but  will  you  be  good  enough  to  tell  me  how  you 
happened  to  drift  up  to  these  parts?" 

"  Well,  you  see,  cousins  are  scarce  articles  to 
me,  and  when  I  learned  just  how  affairs  stood  I 

made  up  my  mind  it  was  my  right  to  know  my 
40 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  41 

kin."  Here  he  spent  a  few  moments  inhaling  the 
smoke  and  sending  it  out  in  streaming  lines  from 
his  large  nostrils,  then  continuing,  he  remarked, 
"  But  you  seem  surprised  to  see  me.  I  suppose 
you  received  my  letter.  How  about  it  ?  " 

"  Yes,  it  was  at  our  imposing  post-office  this 
morning  and  spoiled  a  climb  I  would  have  given  a 
good  deal  to  have  taken.  But  how  does  it  happen 
that  I  never  heard  my  father  speak  of  your  fam- 
ily? Where  is  your  father?  " 

"  That's  just  it.  If  Father  were  alive  I  should 
not  be  standing  here  talking  to  you,  and  if  your 
father  stood  here  he  would  understand  why  I  have 
come;  but  as  you  and  I  are  their  representatives, 
I  will  tell  you  why  I  am  here.  My  name  is  Ben 
Anderson,  and  my  father  was  your  father's  half 
brother.  He  was  some  years  older  and  a  kind 
you  would  call  '  easy.'  Your  father  in  his  day 
was  quite  a  sport  and  found  himself  in  many  a 
scrape." 

"  Now  look  here,  Cousin  Ben,  although  I  never 
knew  of  you  until  to-day,  I  am  much  surprised  at 
what  you  tell  me,  for  I  never  thought  of  Dad  in 
such  a  light.  He  seemed  a  thoughtful  sort  and 
if  the  scrapes  you  speak  of  were  of  his  making,  I 
am  very  sure  they  were  honest  scrapes.  But  go 
on  with  your  story,"  added  Windy,  in  a  sort  of 
an  apologetical  tone  for  having  broken  in. 

"  Well,  honest  they  may  have  been  in  the  start 
—  as  to  that  I  can't  say  —  but  at  the  finish  they 
were  anything  but  of  that  name  for  — " 


4$  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

Here  Windy,  who  had  been  seated,  with  a  quick 
spring  was  by  the  side  of  the  speaker,  while  with 
hands  clinched  and  face  very  pale,  and  with  an 
unnatural  cadence  in  his  tone  exclaimed,  "  Have 
a  care,  for  though  you  be  of  my  flesh  and  blood 
you  cannot  come  here  and  insult  my  father's  mem- 
ory ;  for  even  as  I  know  it  is  a  cursed  lie  I  will  not 
allow  such  words  to  ring  out  upon  the  air  where 
my  father's  honest  voice  used  to  be  heard." 

"  Oh,  very  well,"  returned  the  oily  tongued  vis- 
itor, as  he  continued  to  enjoy  his  half-smoked  cig- 
arette ;  "  but  perhaps  when  you  see  the  proof  of 
which  I  was  about  to  speak,  you  may  not  wish  to 
be  violent." 

"  Proof?  proof?  What  proof  can  you  or  any 
one  else  have  regarding  my  father's  honesty  ?  " 

"  Well,  now,  suppose  you  hear  what  I  have  to 
say,  then  I  will  show  you  my  right  to  speak  as  I 
have  and  must."  Windy  reluctantly  resumed  his 
seat  while  his  companion  resumed, 

"  A  few  weeks  before  your  father  hied  himself 
to  this  out-of-the-world  place  he  forged  my  fa- 
ther's name  for  several  thousand  dollars.  This 
was  some  few  years  ago.  I  only  learned  of  it 
some  weeks  since  from  some  papers  which  I  found 
when  looking  over  my  late  father's  effects,  and 
which  in  his  own  handwriting  stated  the  case." 

Here  he  glanced  at  Windy  to  see  how  he  was 
taking  the  affair,  but  no  sign  of  belief  in  the  truth 
of  his  story  could  he  detect.  "  You  see,  your 
father  was  not  a  lucky  gambler  and  when  he  got  in 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  43 

so  deep  he  could  not  get  out,  why  he  had  to  and 
did  the  easiest  thing  he  could  to  square  himself." 

"  In  heaven's  name  why  tell  me  more  of  this 
monstrous  lie?  Show  me  proofs  if  you  can,"  came 
Windy's  voice,  which  had  grown  hoarse  from  sup- 
pressed emotion. 

"  Just  as  you  say  —  perhaps  you  did  not  know 
what  an  excellent  penman  your  father  was  or  at 
least  what  a  remarkably  good  copyist  —  at  any 
rate,  gaze  upon  this."  While  drawling  out  his 
last  few  words,  Ben  Anderson  had  brought  from 
his  breast  pocket  an  old,  rusty-looking  billhook 
and  now  having  removed  a  rather  yellow-looking 
check  from  its  depths,  was  holding  it  before 
Windy's  searching  gaze. 

After  a  close  scrutinizing  glance,  followed  by  a 
low  moan,  Windy  turned  from  his  companion  and 
buried  his  face  in  his  hands,  while  the  words, 
"  Father !  Father !  how  could  you  ?  "  came  audibly 
from  his  lips.  For  a  few  moments  nothing  save 
the  sighing  of  the  wind  through  the  pines  could  be 
heard;  then  Windy  asked,  "Do  you  think  my 
mother  ever  knew  of  it  ?  " 

"  No,  I  am  sure  my  father  never  divulged  it, 
partly  for  the  sake  of  the  family  name;  then, 
again,  I  believe  he  was  very  fond  of  his  brother 
Edward.  The  reason  I  am  here  is  that  I  want 
you  to  make  it  up  to  me,  for  I  am  left  almost  with- 
out a  shilling,  and  as  I  learned  that  the  homestead 
had  been  cleared  I  thought  it  no  more  than  my  due 
that  you  should  give  me  a  lift  as  my  father  gave 


44  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

one  to  yours.  But  come,  old  man,"  he  continued, 
"  do  not  take  it  so  to  heart ;  no  one  but  us  knows 
anything  about  it." 

"  Thank  Heaven  for  that  —  and  now,  Ben,  I 
will  do  what  I  can  for  you  upon  one  condition.  I 
do  not  know  whether  you  have  heard  or  not,  but 
I  have  a  young  sister  whom  I  have  watched  over 
since  she  was  a  tiny  baby.  She  was  my  father's 
idol,  and  rather  than  have  her  learn  of  the  condi- 
tion of  things  as  you  have  told  me  I  would  sacri- 
fice everything.  Hark!  I  hear  now  the  sound  of 
Gypsy's  hoofs,  and  still  those  of  another.  Sis 
is  coming  and  Joe  must  be  with  her.  We  will  talk 
it  over  to-morrow;  to-night  you  are  simply  our 
cousin  who  has  come  to  spend  a  holiday." 

Hardly  before  the  words  had  left  his  lips, 
Windy  was  standing  beside  the  steaming  flanks  of 
the  two  ponies,  while  he  helped  his  Sis  to  alight. 
The  twilight  was  fast  spreading  a  mantle  over  the 
early  autumn  day  as  Roma  greeted  her  brother, 
else  she  would  have  noticed  the  unusual  pallor  of 
his  face;  then,  such  was  her  amazement,  upon 
reaching  the  piazza,  to  see  a  stranger  standing 
there,  that  she  had  no  thought  for  aught  else. 

Windy  soon  hastened  to  say,  "  Roma,  this  is  the 
one  from  whom  I  received  my  letter  to-day,  which 
caused  me  to  send  Joe  up  the  trail  in  my  stead. 
He  is  our  cousin,  Ben  Anderson,  from  the  East." 

Instantly  the  girl's  face  was  alive  with  anima- 
tion as  she  extended  her  hand,  saying,  "  Why,  this 
is  nice,  and  a  surprise.  I  did  not  know  I  had  a 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  45 

cousin.  But  now  I  must  hurry,  for  I  know  you 
all  must  be  hungry,  and  I  have  lots  of  news  for 
you,  Broth." 

With  a  light  spring  she  disappeared  within,  and 
soon  her  slight  form  could  be  seen  by  the  two,  who 
remained  so  silent  since  she  had  disappeared  from 
the  scene.  Ben  Anderson  had  been  rather  con- 
fused, and  his  usual  confident  manner  had  waxed 
a  little  less  jubilant  since  the  gray  eyes  of  the  girl 
had  bidden  him  welcome,  while  he  had  returned  her. 
hand  clasp  and  thanked  her.  And  now,  as  the 
last  gleam  sank  from  view  from  the  afterglow, 
Roma's  voice  was  heard,  bidding  them  to  come  and 
sup. 


CHAPTER  X 

"  What  a  dear  child  she  is !  "  exclaimed  Elanore 
Moulton,  as  she  watched  Roma  until  the  last  gleam 
of  her  scarlet  ribbons  faded  from  between  the  pines. 
"  She  is  like  a  poor,  untamed,  little  bird ;  I 
wish — •"  but  here  her  soliloquy  was  interrupted 
by  the  return  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raynor,  who  had 
hastened  to  inquire  for  the  day's  mail. 

"Well,  Doctor,  shall  I  caU  a  wheel  chair," 
laughingly  inquired  Amelia  Raynor ;  "  or  will  you 
and  Mr.  Raynor  have  a  potato  race  upstairs  ?  " 

"  Either  is  agreeable ;  what  say  you,  partner  in 
all  my  ridicule?  " 

"  Ow*,"  returned  Mr.  Raynor.  At  which  the 
ladies  pealed  forth  a  laugh,  for  their  gallant  did 
look  a  bit  as  though  he,  too,  could  be  easily  satis- 
fied. "But,  do  you  know,  I  like  Windy's  Sis. 
Are  we  not  going  to  see  her  again  before  we 
leave?  "  asked  Mr.  Raynor.  "  I  think  it  would  be 
very  nice  to  have  her  and  Windy  dine  with  us  to- 
morrow." 

"  That  it  would,  Mr.  Raynor,"  replied  Dr. 
Moulton.  "  I  have  been  thinking  so,  too,  since 
we  bade  Roma  good-by.  But  here  you  are  at 
your  room.  I  will  join  you  both  in  the  dining- 

46 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  47 

room  after  I  have  rested  awhile,  but  will  be  punc- 
tual for  dinner." 

That  night,  like  every  night,  all  manner  of  dif- 
ferent pictures  might  have  been  seen  and  studied 
around  the  tables  spread  for  the  evening's  repast, 
as  Dr.  Moulton  and  the  Raynors  settled  themselves 
once  more  in  the  unusually  attractive  dining 
apartment  of  the  chalet,  all  dressed  becomingly  in 
the  required  custom  of  the  day. 

So  another  little  party  was  assembled.  Roma 
felt  that  her  boys  must  be  hungry,  and  so  having 
prepared  a  real  little  dinner,  she  called  them;  and, 
in  truth,  a  very  inviting  repast  she  had  concocted ; 
for  when  the  two  young  men  stepped  into  the 
unique  room  which  acted  as  living-  and  dining- 
room,  the  aroma  which  greeted  them  was  most 
gratifying,  while  Roma,  as  she  assigned  the  new 
cousin  his  place,  was  most  gracious,  as  a  hostess 
should  be. 

The  lamp,  with  its  plain  white  shade,  sent  forth 
a  dash  of  light  which  fell  over  and  on  Roma,  show- 
ing the  carmine  in  her  cheeks,  which  vied  with  her 
scarlet  throat-piece  for  brilliancy.  The  brown 
hand  that  poured  the  delicious-smelling  coffee  as- 
sumed an  unusual  poise  as  she  caught  the  flash 
which  now  and  again  returned  to  her  vision  from 
her  newly  found  treasure;  for  Roma,  after  having 
seen  that  the  omelet  was  done  to  a  turn  and  the 
toast  just  the  shade  of  brown  that  Broth  liked 
best,  had  slipped  the  ring  on  her  finger  and  now 
was  patiently  waiting  for  his  outburst  of  surprise. 


48  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

"  Well,  Miss  Roma,"  the  suave  voice  of  the  guest 
began,  after  he  had  partaken  of  several  not  very 
dainty  mouthfuls,  "  you  are  what  a  little  girl  told 
her  auntie,  that  she  was  '  a  good  cooker.'  Where 
did  you  learn  the  art?  " 

"  Oh,  I  have  had  to  learn  to  keep  my  boys 
from  feeling  that  '  I-want-something-to-eat-I-don't- 
know-what  feeling,'  "  returned  Roma.  Joe,  who 
just  entered  the  room,  added  his  "  Ha,  ha,"  to  the 
rather  rough  one  of  the  newly  found  Ben. 

"  Well,  Roma,  that  was  a  remark,  sure  enough. 
It  is  rather  one  on  you  and  me,  eh,  Joe?  But 
come,  or  your  something  will  be  cold,"  continued 
Windy.  "  This  is  Joe,  my  friend  —  Joe,  this  is 
a  new-found  cousin,  Ben  Anderson ;  and  now,  Joe, 
I  shall  want  to  hear  all  about  your  day  —  Did 
the  lady  —  I  mean  the  tall  one  they  call  Doc  — 
did  she  enjoy  it?  " 

The  introduction  of  the  young  men  had  been 
rather  brief,  but  somehow  it  seemed  to  Joe  that  a 
slight  cloud  had  rested  upon  the  good-natured  face 
of  his  friend  and  pal,  Windy ;  but  it  was  instantly 
replaced  by  a  look  of  real  pleasure  as  he  mentioned 
the  name  of  the  lady  tourist. 

"  That  she  did.  She  bade  me  tell  you  that  her 
young  friend  Windy  was  right;  it  was  one  of  the 
pleasantest  days  and  trips  she  ever  took,  and  that 
she  missed  him  much,  but  that  his  — " 

"  Joe,  let  me  warm  up  your  coffee,  for  it  must  be 
cold,"  interrupted  Roma,  as  she  reached  out  her 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  49 

hand  for  the  half-filled,  generous  cup  at  Joe's 
plate. 

He  hastened  to  comply,  while  Windy,  turning 
toward  Roma,  said,  "  I  want  Dr.  Moulton  to  see 
our  '  Snuggy,'  Sis,  and  you." 

"  Yes,  but  Roma  has  — " 

"  Oh,  Joe,  I  am  sorry  to  interrupt,"  Roma  has- 
tened to  say,  "  but  would  you  mind  coming  with 
me  ?  I  could  not  open  a  can  of  pears ;  I  wish  to 
have  you  all  try,"  and  instantly  the  young  house- 
wife, with  Joe  following  in  her  wake,  was  headed 
toward  the  heart  of  the  "  Snuggy." 

Once  beyond  the  hearing  of  the  ones  remaining 
at  table,  Roma  began :  "  Joe,  you  are  awfully 
stupid.  Did  you  not  see  I  wanted  to  tell  Broth 
myself,  instead  of  having  you  spoil  all  my  fun? 
But  now  that  you  are  here  you  may  open  this  for 
me,  although  I  really  and  truly  have  not  tried  this 
special  can." 

"  Well,  you  are  a  bluff  one,  to  be  sure ;  but,  my 
eyes  —  where  did  you  get,"  and  before  Roma 
could  desist  Joe  had  encased  her  ringed  hand  in 
his  large  one  and  was  looking  in  great  wonderment 
at  the  shining  bauble. 

"  That  is  part  of  the  secret  I  will  tell  you  and 
Broth  after  our  '  Snuggy  '  is  tidied  up  for  the 
evening.  Come,  now,  get  to  your  job,  for  I  must 
hurry  back,  for  it  appears  to  me  the  new  cousin 
is  a  bit  hungry." 

Upon  the  return  they  found  Ben  still  doing  jus- 


50  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

tice  to  the  supper,  while  he  was  apparently  carry- 
ing on  most  of  the  conversation.  Windy  proved 
a  very  good  listener,  and  more  than  once  a  sub- 
conscious thought  stole  over  Roma  that  Broth 
seemed  a  little  unlike  his  usual  self,  but  in  the  ex- 
citement of  the  novel  evening  she  did  not  find  time 
for  further  thought  regarding  it.  Strangely 
enough,  however,  the  glint  and  glitter  of  the  little 
new  ring  did  not  attract  his  attention  until  Roma 
was  clearing  away  the  remains  of  the  repast. 

Joe  had  invited  Ben  to  join  him  while  he  took 
a  look  at  the  ponies  before  leaving  them  for  the 
night.  As  the  last  sound  of  their  retreating  steps 
was  heard,  Windy,  who  had  been  sitting  very  quiet 
and  still  retaining  his  seat  at  table,  suddenly  be- 
came very  agitated,  and  exclaimed,  "  Roma,  what 
have  you  on  your  finger?  "  and  before  she  could 
answer  or  even  have  her  little  fun  of  explaining 
regarding  her  first  trinket,  Windy,  in  a  manner  so 
violent  as  to  almost  frighten  the  girl,  had  again 
demanded  an  answer. 

Poor  Windy !  He  had  had  a  hard  battle  to  fight 
during  the  last  few  hours,  nor  was  it  little  wonder 
he  was  unaccountable  for  his  really  rough  man- 
ner, but  to  Roma,  with  whom  he  was  always  so 
tender  and  affectionate,  it  came  like  a  bolt  out  of 
a  clear  sky,  causing  her  to  stand  trembling  like  a 
poor  little  ewe  lamb,  until,  frightened  by  his  angry 
looks,  she  burst  into  tears. 

Then  and  only  then  did  the  brother,  who  had 
been  so  tried  by  the  shameful  news  he  had  learned 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  51 

from  the  new  cousin,  realize  the  manner  he  had 
assumed  toward  his  Sis.  Instantly,  he  had 
reached  her  side  and  had  folded  her  into  his 
strong,  boyish  arms,  while,  if  Roma  had  known, 
real  tears  fell  upon  her  glossy  hair,  as  she  crept 
into  his  welcomed  shelter.  After  the  first  violent 
sobs  had  subsided  and  Windy  had  patted  the  lit- 
tle flushed  face,  he  drew  the  hand  that  had  caused 
the  tumult  to  his  vision  and  repeated  his  question, 
trying  to  make  his  tones  more  like  the  familiar 
ones  of  her  Broth. 

"  I  found  it  —  found  it  to-day,  coming  down 
the  trail,"  came  from  the  still-half-sobbing  tones 
of  Roma. 

"Trail?  What  trail?"  exclaimed  the  boyish 
voice.  "  Roma,  where  have  you  been  to-day  ?  " 

At  this,  the  girl  drew  herself  from  the  arms  that 
partly  encircled  her  and,  straightening  her  little 
figure,  lifted  her  head  until  her  gray  eyes  looked 
into  the  dark  depths  of  her  brother's,  as  she  re- 
plied, "  I  wanted  to  see  the  lady  you  told  me  so 
much  about  and  so  I  went  up  the  Lake  trail,  but, 
Broth,  you  have  no  right  to  speak  to  me  as  you 
did.  On  our  way  back  I  found  the  ring,  which  I 
wore  home  just  for  to-night  to  surprise  you; 
but," —  and  here  the  ring  was  suddenly  drawn  off 
by  a  defiant  motion  and  thrust  into  her  brother's 
hand,  while  she  continued  — "  I  am  sorry  if  I  did 
such  a  great  wrong,  but  — " 

"  Sis,  my  little  Sis,  forgive  me ;  I  did  speak 
harshly  to  you  —  say  you  forgive  me,  for  it  shall 


52  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

shall  not  happen  again  — "  With  a  tender  smile, 
though  still  with  a  questioning  glance,  Roma  re- 
turned to  his  eagerly  waiting  embrace,  then,  draw- 
ing her  to  the  large  chair  he  had  fashioned  and 
she  had  made  attractive  with  bright-colored  cush- 
ions, he  took  her  upon  his  knee  and  began  plying 
her  with  all  sorts  of  questions  about  her  trip. 

Soon  her  face  was  like  a  rose  after  a  summer's 
shower  —  fresh  and  fair,  while  a  suggestion  of 
dewdrops  lingered  there.  The  willing  tongue, 
once  loosed,  flew  blithely  along,  Windy  drinking 
in  the  pictures  which  followed  one  another  as  they 
passed  to  him  from  the  graphic  description  of  the 
narrator. 

"  So  the  doc  is  coming  up  here  to  see  us  —  you 
are  sure,  Sis,"  Windy  exclaimed,  after  he  had  en- 
joyed a  hearty  laugh  at  the  way  Roma  had  de- 
scribed the  doc's  frantic  grasping  of  her  bridle 
on  the  descending  trail. 

"  Oh,  yes ;  she  said  she  must  see  our  '  Snuggy.' 
I  do  not  wonder  you  liked  her ;  I  — "  and  here  a 
thoughtful  look  stole  into  the  gray  eyes,  and  but 
for  the  sound  of  returning  steps  there  might  have 
passed  into  a  brother's  keeping  a  glimpse  of  a 
lonely  little  life. 

With  a  subtle  movement  Windy  lifted  his  Sis 
and,  placing  her  in  the  chair  they  had  both  occu- 
pied, turned  and,  opening  the  outer  door,  let  in 
the  spicy  evening  air,  for  their  home  nestled  among 
the  pines.  The  lad  loved  his  sister  with  a  fervent 
love,  but  the  boy's  fear  of  ridicule  would  show  it- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  53 

self,  now  and  again;  and  just  now  he  felt  that  he 
did  not  care  to  be  found  showing  too  much  senti- 
ment before  the  new-comer,  but,  not  wishing  to 
wound  Sis,  he  had  left  her  and  assumed  an  inter- 
est in  the  cousin  he  little  felt,  as  he  stood  in  the 
doorway  waiting  for  Ben,  who,  with  Joe  following, 
shedding  the  light  from  a  lantern  to  guide  him, 
came  into  view. 

"Well,  Joe,  Sis  sort  of  stole  a  march  on  me 
to-day,  didn't  she?  I  am  very  glad  she  enjoyed 
it  so  well,  and  now  I  am  going  to  ask  you  boys  to 
join  me  upon  the  piazza  for  a  smoke,  as  I  am 
afraid  if  we  all  fire  up  here  we  shall  drive  our  lit- 
tle housekeeper  out  of  her  domain."  Whereupon 
Windy,  stepping  to  his  sister's  side,  playfully 
pulled  her  ear,  as  he  continued,  "  Now,  is  not  your 
protector  thoughtful  to-night  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Roma,  I  think  Pal  is  right.  He  always 
is,  you  know.  I  am  afraid  we  might  make  it  a  tri- 
fle hazy  if  given  time  enough,"  and  Joe's  "  ha  ha  " 
broke  forth,  thus  ending  his  speech. 

"  Well,  perhaps  so "  returned  the  girlish 

voice.  "  I  will  remain  here  and  just  begin  with 
my  wonderful  day,  thinking  it  all  over  —  and  it 
will  not  be  bad  fun  either,  for  it  has  been  a  jolly 
one." 

After  a  pull  at  their  pipes,  which  lasted  longer 
than  they  would  have  believed,  the  trio  reentered 
the  "  Snuggy,"  to  find  a  little  creature  lying  silent 
and  peaceful  in  the  depths  of  the  big  chair 
wrapped  in  the  arms  of  Morpheus,  the  scarlet  rib- 


54  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

bon  and  kerchief  still  giving  the  added  touch  to  a 
lovely  picture. 

How  tender  both  the  voices  were  as  they  with 
gentle  words  wakened  the  sleeper,  and  laughingly 
making  a  cradle  for  her  with  their  entwined  arms, 
they  bore  her  away  to  her  little  room  —  she  call- 
ing out,  "  Good  night,"  to  the  new  cousin,  who 
was  just  looking  on. 


CHAPTER  XI 

It  was  long  into  the  night  ere  Windy  Anderson 
fell  into  a  troubled  sleep,  for  learning  that  the 
father  whom  he  had  always  regarded  as  above  re- 
proach could  have  so  far  forgotten  his  manliness 
as  to  stoop  to  such  a  deed  as  the  new-found  cousin 
had  proved,  was  a  crushing  blow  to  the  lad. 
Then,  again,  he  did  not  like  Ben;  why,  he  could 
not  tell,  but  it  did  not  seem  as  if  he  could  have  him 
become  an  inmate  of  the  "  Snuggy  "  where,  except 
for  the  loss  of  their  parents,  Sis  and  he  had  been 
so  happy.  To  be  sure,  Joe  was  there,  but  that 
was  different;  he  was  just  Joe.  Then,  although 
Ben  had  promised  not  to,  in  any  way,  acquaint 
Sis  of  the  disgrace,  if  she  should  find  out  from 
something  he  might  let  drop,  her  life  would  be 
spoiled,  for  Sis  had  idolized  her  da-da,  as  she 
called  him. 

The  first  consciousness  that  Windy  experienced 
was  Sis's  voice  calling  him  —  a  very  unusual  thing, 
for  he  was  an  early  riser  and  often  spent  an  hour 
or  so  in  the  field  before  breakfast.  He  had  con- 
tinued on  with  the  raising  of  wheat,  as  his  father 
had  started,  though  as  yet  he  did  not  have  a  very 
large  acreage,  but  hoped  in  time  to  realize  much 

more  from  the  enlargement  of  the  project.     Joe 

55 


56  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

and  he  had  planted  a  small  garden  where  they 
raised  all  the  vegetables  that  supplied  the  table. 
So,  together  with  the  fees  Windy  picked  up  as  a 
guide,  he  had  started  a  nest-egg  in  the  bank  at  the 
nearest  town. 

Hardly  believing  his  ears  as  he  answered  his  Sis, 
Windy  hastily  arose,  wondering  why  he  felt  so  un- 
like himself,  when  like  a  flash  the  whole  event  of 
the  preceding  night  came  rushing  over  him;  but, 
like  many  another,  he  put  his  shoulder  to  the  wheel 
and  when  he  greeted  Roma  a  little  later  he  laugh- 
ingly said,  "  Well,  Sis,  you  had  your  sleep  first 
last  night,  so  I  thought  I  would  be  last  this  morn- 
ing." 

To  Ben  he  appeared  agreeable,  but  Joe,  who 
happened  to  be  standing  near  when  the  cousins 
met,  again  felt  a  slight  friction  seeming  to  arise 
from  the  contact  of  the  two.  "  Well,  come ;  I  must 
have  kept  you  all  from  breakfast  and  you  must  be 
famished,"  continued  Windy. 

Some  little  time  after  they  had  finished  their 
morning  meal  Windy  came  into  the  kitchen  where 
Roma  was  busy  with  her  work,  and  exclaimed, 
"  Well,  Sis,  I  see  you  are  right  at  it  —  you  will 
have  to  ask  for  higher  wages  as  you  will  have  one 
more  hungry  fellow  to  feed." 

"  I  will  take  him  at  the  same  pay  I  have  been 
getting,"  laughed  the  rosy  maid,  flying  about  like 
a  little  swallow,  "  for  he  will  not  stay  long  enough 
to  pay  me  to  raise  my  price." 

"  I  do  not  know  about  that,  Sis.     You  see,  he 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  57 

is  our  coz,  and  has  always  wanted  to  live  in  the 
West.  He  believes  there  is  money  to  be  made  out 
here  in  wheat  anH  various  ways.  Now,  what  do 
you  say  if  he  wants  to  remain?  " 

"  Well,  of  course,  as  he  is  our  cousin  we  should 
try  and  help  him,  I  suppose,  but  — " 

"  But  what,  Roma  ?     Do  you  not  like  him  ?  " 

"  Oh,  it  is  not  that,"  continued  the  girl,  "  but 
somehow  it  will  all  seem  different  —  but  there,  per- 
haps he  will  not  enjoy  it  as  much  as  he  thinks." 

Windy  here  walked  toward  the  door,  simply  be- 
cause he  could  not  keep  the  thought  silent  as  under 
his  breath  he  muttered,  "  Dear  Heaven,  I  hope  it 
may  prove  so." 

"  And  now,  '  Fanchon  my  cricket,'  I  am  going 
to  ride  upon  several  errands,  and  shall  stop  at  the 
chalet  before  I  return,  so  you  must  let  me  take  the 
ring  back  and  see  if  there  is  an  owner  for  it.  Also, 
I  shall  see  my  doc.  Have  you  any  message  for 
her?" 

"  Oh,  yes,  Brother ;  take  her  my  best  love  and 
tell  her  I  want  her  to  be  sure  and  not  forget  to 
come  and  see  our  '  Snuggy  '  before  she  goes  home. 
I  will  get  the  ring,  but  do  hope  you  will  not  find  an 
owner  —  then  it  will  be  mine.  You  must  invite 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raynor  to  come  up  with  the  doctor, 
for  they  are  very  nice." 

When  Roma  stepped  upon  the  porch  she  saw 
that  Ben  was  already  mounted  upon  Joe's  Scotty, 
and  Glossy,  her  brother's  horse,  stood  pawing  the 
ground,  anxious  to  be  upon  the  move,  or,  as  Roma 


58  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

said,  reminding  her  of  the  sugar  he  did  not  mean 
she  should  forget.  Nor  had  she,  for  her  little 
brown  hand  had  suddenly  reached  out  a  goodly 
bit  as  she  laid  it  flat  under  the  dilated  nostrils  of 
the  good  beast,  and  neither  was  Scotty  forgotten. 

Ben  evidently  had  been  in  the  saddle  before,  but 
his  appearance  was  not  to  the  saddle  born. 
Windy,  on  the  contrary,  was  a  very  Don  Quixote, 
and  Roma  watched  him  with  a  proud,  loving  ex- 
pression upon  her  face  until  his  last  wave  answered 
her  own,  and  the  descent  hid  him  from  her  gray 
eyes. 

Meantime,  Mrs.  Raynor  and  Dr.  Moulton  were 
having  a  very  spirited  conversation  regarding  the 
poor  little  ring  Roma  was  hoping  very  hard  no  one 
would  claim. 

"  Do  you  know,  when  I  wound  my  watch  upon 
retiring  last  night  I  missed  my  little  charm  that  I 
have  worn  so  many  years  and,  search  as  I  did,  I 
have  not  found  it.  I  am  so  sorry  about  it,"  and 
Mrs.  Raynor  looked  quite  disturbed  for  her. 

"  What  was  it,  a  rabbit's  foot  or  a  four-leaf 
clover?  "  asked  her  companion. 

"  Ah,  my  dear,  something  dearer  to  me  than  al- 
most anything  I  possess.  A  little  signet  ring  with 
the  initials  A.  E.  P.  upon  it.  You  see,  I  have  a 
half  brother  much  younger  than  myself,  but  as 
there  are  only  we  two,  he  seems  as  near  to  me  as 
my  own  brother." 

"  Oh,  Mrs.  Raynor,  did  you  wear  it  up  the  trail 
yesterday  ?  "  asked  her  companion  in  a  very  quiet 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  59 

tone,  while  she  almost  dreaded  the  answer,  for  the 
bright  face  of  Roma  seemed  suddenly  to  appear 
before  her,  a  disappointed  look  deepening  the  gray 
eyes. 

"  Yes,  I  had  it  on  when  I  left  the  chalet.  But 
why  do  you  ask  ?  Has  any  one  seen  it  ?  "  eagerly 
returned  Amelia  Raynor,  adding,  "  I  gave  it  to 
Allyn  when  he  was  fifteen  years  old  and  when  he 
outgrew  it  I  begged  it  back  as  my  own,  and  I  have 
worn  it  ever  since." 

"Poor  little  Roma!  I  think  you  will  not  be 
able  to  sport  your  newly  found  trinket  very  long, 
even  if  you  did  wish  very  hard  that  an  owner 
might  not  be  found,"  thought  Elanore  Moulton, 
and  she  told  of  the  finding  of  a  ring  by  the  girl 
Roma,  adding,  "  I  am  very  glad,  Mrs.  Raynor, 
that  you  will  have  your  trinket  back,  and  I  can 
imagine  how  you  must  prize  it,  but  if  you  could 
have  heard  the  glad  cry  and  seen  the  look  in  her 
expressive  face  you  would  feel  just  a  little  sorry 
that  the  owner  had  come  to  light." 

"  I  shall  buy  her  a  nice  little  one  when  I  return 
and  send  it  right  back  to  her,"  eagerly  exclaimed 
Mrs.  Raynor ;  "  but,  do  you  suppose  she  will  send 
it  back?" 

"  Yes,  indeed,  she  told  me  that  Brother  should 
return  it  upon  the  morrow,  but  she  did  so  want  to 
show  it  to  her  boys,  as  she  called  Windy  and  Joe." 

As  the  lads  passed  from  Roma's  lingering  gaze 
they  neither  spoke  for  some  little  way,  until  Ben, 
who  had  been  busying  himself  securing  a  cigarette 


60  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

as  his  starter  for  the  day,  broke  out  so  abruptly 
as  to  cause  Glossy  and  his  master  both  to  start 
perceptibly.  "  Well,  I  suppose  it  is  all  right  for 
me  to  send  for  my  belongings.  I  have  not  many, 
but  what  I  have  I  would  like." 

"  Yes,  Ben,  you  may  as  well  get  them.  I  told 
Sis  this  morning  that  you  might  remain  for  a 
lengthy  visit.  But,  Ben,  remember.  If  one  word 
gets  to  my  little  girl  that  you  have  told  to  me,  you 
and  I  will  be  through  forever." 

"  Oh,  I  will  take  care  of  that  part,"  his  com- 
panion returned,  while  the  look  that  darted 
from  his  eyes  and  the  smile  that  sneered  from  his 
thick  lips  might  have  caused  a  feeling  not  only 
of  antipathy  but  one  of  guarded  caution  if  they 
had  been  beheld;  as  it  was,  Windy,  who  had  not 
even  glanced  at  him  since  their  start,  intuitively 
felt  a  sense  of  antagonism,  though,  if  he  had  been 
asked  why,  he  could  not  have  explained. 

Their  conversation  lagged  much  of  the  way  and 
it  was  with  a  great  sense  of  satisfaction  that 
Windy  caught  the  first  glimpse  of  the  picturesque 
chalet,  and  expressed  his  intention  to  stop  there. 
"  You  may  ride  about,  Ben.  I  shall  not  be  long, 
but  I  have  a  message  for  a  tourist  I  met  some 
few  days  ago,  and  will  join  you  later." 

"  Oh,  suit  yourself,"  was  the  reply,  although  it 
was  very  evident  Ben  had  not  expected  to  be  turned 
off  in  such  an  unceremonious  manner.  As  Windy 
turned  up  the  drive  that  led  under  the  porte- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  61 

cochere,  he  met  Mrs.  Ray  nor  and  the  doctor  just 
emerging,  and  hastily  alighting  he  turned  to  meet 
them. 

"  Well,  well,  Windy.  You  are  a  great  chap,  to 
be  sure,  to  paint  such  a  graphic  alluring  picture 
of  the  trail  and  then  at  the  last  moment  to  forsake 
us  and  leave  us  to  the  tender  mercies  of  another. 
I  would  not  forgive  you  save  for  the  fact  that  I 
met  your  dear  little  Sis,"  chattered  Elanore  Moul- 
ton. 

"  Yes,  Doc.  She  has  told  me  all  about  your 
trip,  and  it  was  a  gala  day  for  her,  I  can  tell  you ; 
but  if  you  knew  how  I  missed  it  myself,  you  would 
not  believe  it,"  returned  Windy.  Here  he  turned 
to  Mrs.  Raynor  and  inquired  if  the  ride  had  put 
the  mister  out  of  business,  to  which  they  all  had 
a  jolly  laugh. 

Just  then  Mr.  Raynor  hove  in  sight,  and  learn- 
ing that  the  laugh  was  upon  him,  exclaimed, 
"That's  all  right;  keep  it  up.  But,  my  lad,  I 
shall  kidnap  that  Sis  of  yours  out  of  spite  if  for 
nothing  more,  if  you  make  fun  of  me.  Now,  we 
want  you  both  to  come  and  have  dinner  with  us 
to-morrow,  for  we  leave  the  day  following  and 
must  see  her  at  least  again." 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Raynor,  very  much ;  it  is 
jolly  fine  of  you,  but  Sis  and  I  want  you  all  to 
come  to  us,  and  if  you  have  only  one  more  day 
you  must  come  to-morrow.  It  is  not  so  very  steep 
and  a  much  easier  ride  in  every  way  than  to  the 


6£  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

Lake  trail."  Here  he  turned  to  Dr.  Moulton  and 
in  a  very  earnest  tone  continued,  "  You  will  come, 
won't  you,  Doc  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Windy,  I  think  I  will,  for  we  all  must 
say  good-by  to  Roma,  and  if  you  would  rather  we 
visit  you,  I  expect  you  have  won." 

"  Oh,  thank  you,  Doc.  I  always  thought  you 
were  a  dandy  and  now  I  know  it,"  Windy  ex- 
claimed with  great  enthusiasm. 

"  Even  if  I  do  sometimes  sign  myself  Miss ;  eh, 
Windy?" 

They  straightway  laid  their  plans  as  to  how 
they  should  make  the  ascent  the  next  day,  deciding 
Joe  should  come  for  them.  It  was  thought  best 
that  they  should  ride  the  same  ponies  as  the  day 
before.  Dr.  Moulton  exclaimed,  "  We  are  sure 
that  they  brought  us  safely  home  once  and  we  will 
trust  to  them  and  luck  to  accomplish  it  once  more." 

Here  Windy  was  obliged  to  enter  the  chalet  and 
Mr.  Raynor  strolled  off  in  another  direction.  No 
sooner  were  they  out  of  sight  than  Amelia  Raynor, 
who  had  been  very  silent  for  the  last  few  moments, 
exclaimed,  "  I  expect  our  young  friend  has  gone 
to  make  inquiry  relative  to  his  little  Sis's  bauble." 

"  I  have  not  a  doubt  of  it,  but  here  he  comes," 
returned  her  companion. 

"  I  have  been  in  to  inquire  if  any  one  had  lost  a 
ring,"  Windy  said,  as  he  approached  the  ladies. 
"  Doc,  Sis  did  so  want  to  wear  it  just  last  night. 
I  have  left  it  at  the  desk,  but  I  hope  the  same  as 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  63 

Sis  does,  that  no  one  will  claim  it,  for  it  made  her 
so  happy." 

For  a  moment  there  was  no  remark,  until  finally 
Amelia  Raynor  spoke,  saying,  "  Somehow  I  feel 
that  no  one  will  ever  claim  it,"  whereupon  Elanore 
Moulton  passed  her  arm  through  that  of  her  com- 
panion, and  if  there  was  an  unusual  warmth  in  the 
contact,  no  one  but  themselves  were  the  wiser. 

Sending  their  love  to  Roma  and  telling  Windy 
they  would  see  him  again  soon,  they  bade  him 
good-by.  Windy  spent  considerable  time  trying 
to  learn  the  whereabouts  of  his  Cousin  Ben,  but 
after  a  lengthened  hunt  he  decided  he  must  have 
returned  up  the  trail,  and  so  he  too  turned  Glossy 
in  that  direction.  His  surmise  proved  right,  for 
when  he  came  in  sight  of  the  Snuggy  there  sat 
Ben,  big  as  life,  upon  the  piazza,  still  puffing  at  his 
inevitable  cigarette. 


CHAPTER  XII 

Such  excitement  as  prevailed  the  next  morning 
throughout  the  Snuggy.  Roma  was  astir  with  the 
birds  and  at  no  little  time  later  she  had  given  each 
lad,  even  Ben,  his  task. 

"  You  see,  Broth,  it  is  my  first  real  party,  and 
it  must  be  a  success." 

Little  did  the  boys  realize  the  depths  of  womanly 
intuitiveness  which  the  girl  possessed.  If  she  had 
been  accustomed  to  dinner  parties  every  day  she 
could  not  have  carried  out  in  many  ways  a  more 
unique  or  pleasing  program.  They  did  not  know 
of  the  thoughts  that  flashed  through  the  mind  of 
the  little  housewife  as  she  lay  with  flushed  cheek 
pressed  into  her  pillow  the  previous  night,  trying 
to  woo  the  sleep  that  simply  would  not  come,  until 
finally,  when  detail  after  detail  had  passed  and  re- 
passed,  she,  from  sheer  mental  fatigue,  at  last  suc- 
cumbed, and  now  she  was  carrying  into  effect  the 
outgo  of  her  mental  picture. 

"  Now,  Joe,  you  and  Ben  may  carry  this  table 
out  on  the  piazza  for  me;  it  is  much  too  lovely  a 
day  to  remain  indoors.  And  then,  Joe,"  Roma 
continued,  "  I  would  like  you  to  take  down  the 
Navajo  blankets  that  Father  bought  from  the 

friendly  chief  the  first  year  we  settled  here.     What 

64 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  65 

lovely  colors  they  use !  Do  you  remember  the  box 
of  trinkets  they  sent  us  one  Christmas?  I  expect 
Mother  and  Dada  knew  all  about  it  long  before  we 
did.  You  see,  Cousin  Ben,  we  could  not  go  shop- 
ping as  the  children  in  the  cities  do,  and  we  had 
not  passed  the  age  of  Santa,  so  the  gifts  of  the 
bright  toys  were  very  dear  to  us.  I  have  always 
kept  them.  They  are  now  packed  away,  but  I 
mean  to  use  them  upon  my  table  to-day." 

"  Hurrah !  Sis,  you  are  the  girl ;  but  how  on 
earth  did  you  ever  think  of  that  idea,"  exclaimed 
Windy,  spinning  across  the  room  and  lifting  Roma 
by  the  elbows,  he  held  her  poised  in  air. 

"  Well,  you  see,  as  Mother  used  to  say,  '  Neces- 
sity is  the  mother  of  invention,'  but,  Broth,  you 
stop  your  meddling  and  keep  at  work.  I  want 
you  to  cut  me  a  small,  well-shaped  pine  tree  for 
my  table,  while  I  go  and  hunt  up  my  Indian 
trinkets." 

"  Very  good,  Minnehaha,  at  your  service." 

Here  Joe,  who  was  unfastening  the  blanket  which 
hung  from  one  side  of  the  Snuggy  and  which  made 
such  a  picturesque  draping,  turned,  while  the  eye 
of  the  manly  Hiawatha  could  not  have  beamed 
forth  more  adoration  than  did  his  as  he  looked 
down  on  the  girl  Roma.  Ben,  happening  to  turn 
at  that  moment,  was  a  witness  to  the  scene,  and 
as  he  passed  quietly  out  on  the  porch  under  some 
feigned  pretense,  a  long  low  whistle  resounded  upon 
the  clear  autumn  air. 

The  piazza,  where  they  were  to  hold  their  fete, 


66  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

had  a  southern  exposure,  and  the  air,  so  fragrant 
and  spicy,  was  borne  to  Roma  as  she  flitted  about. 
She  first  arranged  the  bright  Navajo  covering 
over  the  table  where  it  lay  in  dignified  repose,  the 
ends  falling  in  graceful  folds  to  the  floor.  Then 
such  a  medley  of  articles  as  were  brought  forth 
from  the  depths  of  the  box  that  she  had  kept  in 
hiding.  With  a  long  string  of  beads  she  made  a 
trail,  extending  the  entire  length  of  the  table,  a 
distance  of  some  few  inches  in  width,  while  here 
and  there  she  had  single  pine  twigs  to  act  as 
trees,  while  moss  was  used  on  either  side  of  the 
trail,  giving  a  touch  of  soft  green  which  looked 
very  realistic.  A  little  more  than  half  way  the 
length  of  the  table  she  had  formed  two  miniature 
lakes  by  using  pieces  of  mirror  glass  and  surround- 
ing them  thickly  with  moss  and  lichen.  By  the 
lake's  side  she  moored  two  very  good  sized  toy 
canoes,  which  she  intended  utilizing  later  as  dishes 
for  her  viands.  A  little  further  along  she,  with 
Windy's  help,  erected  the  symmetrical  little  pine 
tree  he  had  cut  for  her,  while  under  its  spreading 
branches  she  placed  a  miniature  tent  made  partly 
of  birch  bark,  while  the  entrance  was  of  twisted 
sweet  grass.  It  was  a  very  unique  bit  of  work, 
and  had  been  constructed  by  one  of  the  Indian 
lads,  and  this  she  now  planned  to  represent  the 
Refuge  at  the  summit  of  the  trail  where  she  had 
stood  when  first  spying  the  party  who  were  to  be 
her  guests  to-day.  At  each  place  a  small  moccasin 
was  placed  to  designate  where  the  guests  were  to  be 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  67 

seated.  These  were  filled  with  wild  flowers,  there 
being  no  two  alike,  and  which  Joe  declared  was 
certainly  the  finishing  touch. 

As  Roma  stood  back,  looking  with  critical  eyes 
on  her  handiwork,  she  could  not  but  feel  a  glow  of 
pride,  for  it  did  present  a  very  gala  appearance; 
while  Ben,  who  had  sauntered  up  just  at  the  mo- 
ment, complimented  her  so  highly,  exclaiming, 
"  Why,  Roma,  you  have  certainly  lost  your  call- 
ing ;  you  should  have  been  a  decorator.  A  society 
lady  could  not  have  done  better." 

With  such  hearty  approval  she  decided  the  ar- 
rangement would  do,  and  began  to  think  of  the 
more  substantial  part.  Soon  the  kitchen  was 
sounding  and  resounding  to  the  merry  refrains 
which  rang  forth  from  the  lips  of  the  busy  lass,  as 
she  concocted  tempting  morsels  for  the  pleasure  of 
all.  As  the  hour  of  noon  began  to  tick  itself  into 
prominence,  Roma  disappeared,  soon  to  reappear  a 
veritable  Indian  maiden,  for  she  had  donned  a  real 
typical  costume,  one  she  had  played  Minnehaha  in 
many  times. 

"Well,  Sis,  I  think  you  will  do,"  exclaimed 
Windy,  as  he  surveyed  her  with  much  pride,  "  and 
I  expect  Doc  will  think  so  too." 

Ere  long  a  faint  halloo  was  heard  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  trail  and  soon  again  a  louder  one.  In- 
stantly Roma  and  Windy  were  on  the  alert. 
Roma  remained  at  the  entrance  of  the  Snuggy  to 
welcome,  while  Windy  hastened  to  assist  the  ladies 
to  alight.  Such  exclamations  they  uttered  as  to 


68  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

the  beauty  of  the  view  obtained  from  the  eleva- 
tion, the  quaintness  of  the  building,  and  above  all 
the  picturesqueness  of  their  young  hostess. 

Dr.  Moulton  again  folded  the  motherless  girl 
in  her  arms,  while  Windy,  who  stood  near,  really 
wished  he  also  might  be  included,  for  he  had  taken 
an  unaccountable  fancy  to  the  lady  tourist  and 
felt  that  if  his  Sis  could  have  such  a  friend  life 
would  be  much  brighter;  for,  boy  as  he  was,  he 
realized  somewhat  the  need  of  womanly  comrade- 
ship for  her. 

Such  a  merry  party  as  they  were !  The  Snuggy 
was  not  only  admired,  but  snap-shots  of  every  part 
were  taken  by  the  doctor,  who  was  quite  carried 
away  by  its  uniqueness. 

Soon  Roma  hospitally  announced  dinner  by 
knocking  ingeniously  upon  an  old  pewter  platter 
which  Windy  had  found  buried  and  which  they 
always  had  felt  must  have  been  the  property  of 
the  Indians.  Windy  offered  Dr.  Moulton  his  arm 
in  the  most  approved  fashion,  while  Mr.  Raynor 
followed  with  Roma,  the  charming  Minnehaha ; 
Mrs.  Raynor  fell  to  the  lot  of  Ben,  for  Joe  insisted 
upon  serving  them,  as  he  declared  Roma  had  been 
quite  busy  enough. 

If  ardent  enthusiasm  alone  was  needed  for  the 
success  of  the  dinner  it  was  not  withheld,  for  the 
ladies  were  so  pleased  and  surprised  at  Roma's  pro- 
gram that  they  could  not  say  enough,  while  the 
gentlemen  not  only  did  enjoy  the  gala  appearance 
of  the  spread  but  did  their  best  at  the  tasty  repast. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  69 

"  Well,  Roma,  you  may  apply  at  any  time  for 
the  position  of  cook  at  my  home,"  exclaimed  Mr. 
Raynor,  as  he  helped  himself  to  another  portion  of 
the  egg  salad  that  looked  very  tempting  where  the 
young  chef  had  arranged  it  upon  lettuce  leaves  in 
one  of  the  canoes,  while  in  the  other  was  a  tempt- 
ing display  of  muffins,  good  to  behold,  cold  boiled 
ham  sliced  to  a  nicety,  "  escalloped  potatoes  rival- 
ing her  own  mother's,"  Dr.  Moulton  declared, 
while,  to  cap  the  whole,  was  a  lemon  meringue  pie 
and  "  really  having  a  meringue,"  Windy  said. 
Then,  turning  to  Mr.  Raynor,  he  continued, 
"  What,  pray,  should  we  do  without  our  cook  if 
she  accepted  such  a  proposal  as  yours?  Do  you 
suppose  we  boys  would  get  a  pie  like  that  every 
day?  Well,  I  wonder!" 

"  There,  Broth,  that  is  quite  enough,"  returned 
Roma,  but  the  sweet,  contented  little  smile  which 
accompanied  her  rebuke  was  very  pleasant  to  see. 
Joe  proved  a  very  handy  waiter,  while  Ben  made 
himself  most  agreeable  and  really  succeeded  in  be- 
ing quite  an  entertaining  conversationist. 

Their  luncheon  over,  where  so  regally  the  inner 
man  had  been  appeased,  the  guests  asked  their 
hostess  to  show  them  the  Snuggy,  to  which  she 
acquiesced,  as  she  was  quite  proud  of  her  little 
home  among  the  pines. 

As  Elanore  Moulton  watched  the  young  girl 
and  realized  her  position,  a  sense  of  protector- 
ship stole  over  her  and  she  felt  that  perhaps  God 
in  His  great  far-seeing  mercy  had  sent  her  on  this 


70  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

trail,  the  end  of  which  might  prove  of  benefit  to 
the  orphaned  girl.  A  little  later,  when  Windy 
entered  the  Snuggy,  she  asked  him  to  come  and  sit 
by  her,  and  when  after  a  goodly  amount  of  honest 
praise  had  been  given  the  little  domain,  Dr.  Moul- 
ton  suddenly  put  her  hand  on  her  companion's  arm 
and  said,  "  Windy,  you  cannot  realize  perhaps 
what  this  visit  has  been  to  me,  but  I  want  you  to 
know  that  somehow  both  you  and  your  sister  have 
stolen  into  my  heart  and  if  the  time  should  ever 
come  when  either  of  you  need  a  friend  I  will  be  one 
to  you  both." 

"  Doc,  how  can  I  thank  you  enough  ?  You  are 
surely  a  trump,  and  you  must  have  been  sent  here 
to  help  me  out.  Many  times  I  have  felt  that  per- 
haps Sis  should  not  live  here,  here  with  no  other 
comradeship  than  Joe's  and  mine.  She  should  go 
to  school  somewhere,  but  where,  that  has  been  the 
part  that  has  troubled  me.  You  see,  we  have  a 
tiny  nest  egg  and  I  know  that  our  parents  would 
have  sent  Sis  away,  if  they  had  lived,  for  both 
know  the  value  of  an  education,  and  had  very  good 
ones  themselves.  As  for  me,  they  meant  that  I 
should  go,  but  that's  a  thing  now  of  the  past; 
reasons  have  sprung  up  that  will  keep  me  here 
a-pegging.  But  Sis,  now  more  than  ever,  I  wish 
might  go.  You  see,  our  new  cousin  has  shown  a 
great  liking  for  the  West  and  has  asked  to  remain 
with  us  for  a  spell.  I  cannot  refuse  him,  but  I  do 
not  intend  that  Sis  shall  stay  here  and  become  a 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  71 

little  household  drudge  for  we  three  lumbering  fel- 
lows." 

"  Bravo,  my  young  friend,"  interrupted  Ela- 
nore  Moulton,  "  you  have  spoken  worthy  to  be  the 
brother  of  such  a  sweet  Sis.  I,  too,  have  been 
thinking,  and  am  fully  persuaded  that  Providence 
has  sent  me  to  know  and  admire  you  folks.  There 
is  a  splendid  school  for  young  ladies  not  far  from 
my  home,  not  a  fashionable,  elegant  sort  of  place, 
but  a  good  refined  school  where  a  practical  educa- 
tion can  be  obtained  and  where  the  girls  lead 
happy,  industrious  lives  and  where  they  may  fit 
themselves  for  useful  vocations.  The  fee  is  not 
an  extravagant  one  by  any  means,  and  if  Roma 
should  go  I  promise  to  watch  over  her  and  make 
her  happy." 

"  I  am  sure  of  that,  Doc,  but  suppose  we  speak 
to  Sis  about  the  project  and  see  how  she  takes  it. 
What  say  you,  my  little  Minnehaha?  "  continued 
Windy  Anderson,  as  Roma  approached  the  corner 
where  they  were  seated  and  where  the  ardent 
brother  soon  made  room  for  her  by  himself. 
"  How  would  you  like  to  live  near  the  Doc  and  go 
to  school  ?  " 

"  Pray,  pardon  me,  Windy,  for  interrupting, 
but  I  want  Doctor  Moulton  to  see  some  of  Roma's 
sketches  and  also  her  water  colors ;  then  she  will 
almost  insist  upon  her  going  somewhere  to  improve 
her  talent,  for  I  think  it  very  marked  that  she  has 
unusual  genius  in  that  line,"  explained  Mrs.  Ray- 


72  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

nor,  holding  to  view  a  sketch  of  much  promise, 
giving  a  glimpse  of  a  trail  where  the  tall  trees 
twined  their  green  branches,  covering  the  pathway 
beneath  with  lights  and  shadows,  until  one  looking 
could  almost  hear  the  gentle  sighing  of  the  wind 
and  inhale  the  fragrance  of  the  wood. 

"  So  ho !  my  little  chef  is  an  artist  as  well," 
commented  Elanore  Moulton,  "  and  a  very  good 
one,  I  quite  agree  with  Mrs.  Raynor ;  and  now 
there  is  all  the  more  need  for  you  to  study." 

"  I  would  love  dearly  to  go  if  it  were  not  for 
leaving  Broth,"  Roma  replied,  "  but  I  do  not  see 
how  I  could  go  and  leave  the  three  boys  here  to 
care  for  themselves ;  they  would  make  a  fine  mess  of 
our  little  Snuggy." 

"  Well,  Roma,  my  child,  you  and  Broth  talk  it 
over,  and  when  the  right  time  comes  you  may  be 
sure  we  shall  all  make  you  very  welcome  and  see 
to  your  needs.  My  home  will  always  be  wide  open 
to  you  both,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raynor  will  second 
the  motion,  I  am  sure.  And  now,"  continued  Dr. 
Moulton,  "  I  think  we  must  say  au  revoir,  much  as 
we  dislike  to.  To-morrow  morning  will  soon  be 
on  us  and  I  have  many  things  to  do  upon  arriving 
at  the  chalet;  so,  my  little  Minnehaha  and  my 
stanch  guide,  I  want  to  thank  you  again  for  this 
delightful  day  and  I  assure  you  it  will  never  leave 
my  consciousness.  I  want  you,  Roma  child,  to 
write  me,  for  I  shall  feel  that  a  part  of  myself  has 
been  left  here  with  you  in  this  calm  wooded  abode." 

With  great  tenderness   Elanore  Moulton  bade 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  73 

farewell  to  the  young  girl,  and  both  felt  that  some- 
thing had  passed  into  and  from  their  lives  that 
day  that  nothing  could  efface  —  a  true  friendship 
that  was  pure  as  refined  gold. 

The  late  afternoon  sun  flickered  round  and 
about  the  descending  party  as  the  doctor  and  her 
companions  turned  many  times  to  look  back  at  the 
friends  who  lovingly  and  steadfastly  watched  their 
descent.  Windy,  with  his  arm  thrown  about  his 
Sis,  stood  almost  unconsciously  watching  the  rapt 
gaze  of  the  face  beside  him,  then  turning  he  fol- 
lowed long  the  departing  figure  of  his  newly  found 
friend,  while  almost  reverently  the  words,  "  God 
bless  you  both,"  fell  upon  the  pine-scented  air. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

"  Yes,  Mrs.  Moulton,  you  had  scarcely  turned 
Busy  Bee's  head  round  the  first  corner  when  on 
answering  the  bell  there  stood  —  but  you  cannot 
guess,"  and  here  Betsy's  black  face  glowed  and 
gleamed,  while  her  round  bead-like  eyes  fairly 
danced  with  suppressed  animation. 

"  Well,  Betsy,  I  am  sure  it  is  some  one  you 
either  like  very  much  or  think  that  I  do,  or  both ; 
but  as  for  guessing,  I  am  not  quick  at  that,  so 
help  me  out,  that's  a  good  soul." 

"  He  is  coming  again  and  to-night,  for  I  asked 
him  to,"  and  here  Betsy's  wrinkled  visage  looked 
a  little  awed,  for,  trusty  servant  that  she  was  and 
had  been  for  many  years,  she  felt  that  even  she 
had  boundaries. 

"  I  am  sure,"  she  continued  a  little  more  confi- 
dently, "  you  will  not  mind  when  you  know  who  it 
is,  and  then,  you  see,  Miss  Elanore  arrives  in  time 
for  dinner,  so  I  asked  him  for  that." 

Mrs.  Moulton's  gentle  face  had  assumed  more 
dignity  than  she  felt,  but  she  thought  it  best  to 
hold  Betsy  with  a  little  tighter  check  than  usual, 
for  since  her  daughter's  departure  some  weeks 
previous  she  had  wielded  her  scepter  with  a  most 

unrestrained  fashion. 

74 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  75 

"  Well,  Betsy,  I  must  say  that  I  am  surprised, 
for  you  remember  Miss  Elanore  is  rather  particu- 
lar as  to  her  guests,  and  as  she  will  likely  be  quite 
tired  after  her  long  ride,  I  am  afraid  you  have 
overstepped  a  bit." 

Betsy  by  this  time  had  hastened  to  the  hall 
where  she  secured  the  bit  of  white  paper  which  she 
felt  certain  would  make  all  the  amends  necessary, 
and  returning  handed  it  to  her  mistress,  still  with 
a  subdued  look  of  satisfaction  at  her  demeanor. 

At  sight  of  the  name  which  meant  so  much  to 
many  as  well  as  to  the  one  in  whose  hand  the  card 
rested,  a  look  of  intense  pleasure  lighted  up  the 
refined  features,  while  the  title  of  Hon.  Allyn  E. 
Prentice,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  resounded  in  the  room, 
followed  by  the  words,  "  Betsy,  you  did  exactly 
right.  At  what  time  is  he  to  come?  " 

"  He  could  not  exactly  say,  Missey,  but  in  time 
for  to  dine.  I  is  so  glad  you  is  glad,  and  I's  sure 
the  Mister  and  Master  Rupert  would  be  could  they 
know,  and  perhaps  they  do,  no  telling.  Now  I'll 
fly,  for  the  doctor  will  want  everything  so-so,  as  it 
always  had  to  be  in  the  college  days,  when  young 
Prentice  used  to  come  home  with  young  Master, 
that  was  before  he  had  a  handle  to  his  name  — eh, 
Missey,"-  -  this  with  an  accompanying  look  into 
which  had  crept  a  tenderness  which  was  far  from 
being  feigned. 

"  Yes,  Betsy."  Here  a  slight  turn  almost  uncon- 
sciously found  Mrs.  Moulton  with  glance  directed 
to  two  portraits,  evidently  of  father  and  son,  both 


76  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

with  the  same  frank,  manly  expression  beaming 
from  the  clear  dark  eyes.  For  a  little  space  of 
time  Mrs.  Moulton  stood  lost  in  thought,  when 
remembering  herself,  she,  turning  to  speak,  found 
that  she  was  alone.  Betsy  had  gone.  "  Ah,  my 
husband  and  son,  we  all  remember  you  with  such 
thoughts  of  love,  but  none  more  loyally  than 
Betsy." 

Seeking  her  room,  Mrs.  Moulton  dressed  in 
some  haste,  so  that  she  might  have  ample  time  to 
give  the  finishing  touches  to  the  necessary  arrange- 
ments below.  Tastefully  she  arranged  the  flowers 
in  the  richly  appointed  rooms,  not  forgetting  the 
usual  tokens  at  the  beloved  portraits.  She  also 
attended  the  laying  of  the  grate  in  the  library, 
for  Elanore  had  a  special  love  for  a  cozy  fire,  even 
though  plenty  of  fresh-scented,  autumn  air  was 
carried  into  the  roomy  apartment. 

Having  finished  her  further  inspection  as  to 
table  acquisitions,  she  returned  and,  seating  her- 
self, gave  memory  complete  sway.  How  long  she 
sat  there  she  did  not  know;  she  was  recalled  by 
hearing  her  child's  voice,  accompanied  by  one  of 
deeper  tone,  and  quickly  starting  she  hastened 
toward  the  sound,  only  to  be  intercepted  before 
she  could  fully  realize  it  by  the  strong,  warm  em- 
brace of  her  beloved  daughter's  arms. 

"  Elanore  —  Allyn,  where  in  the  world  — " 

"  Yes,  right  here  in  a  very  busy  world,"  con- 
tinued the  deep  voice  of  the  gentleman,  who  wanted 
to  give  her  a  little  time  for  composure. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  77 

"  Why,  Mother,  you  have  been  so  long  alone, 
you  had  forgotten  my  silent  entree," —  here  turn- 
ing toward  her  companion  she  added  in  an  apolo- 
getical  tone,  "  You  see,  I  have  added  an  M.D.  to 
my  name,  consequently  the  latch  key.  But, 
Mother  mine," —  this  as  the  new-comer  had  tightly 
grasped  the  elder  lady's  hand  — "  is  it  not  good  to 
welcome  Rupert's  friend?  " 

Such  a  busy  evening  as  the  trio  passed !  Betsy 
was  all  smiles  as  she  served  them  in  her  most  pat- 
ronizing manner,  and  her  bright  eyes  scarcely  left 
the  masculine  member  of  the  party  except  to  at- 
tend to  her  duties.  Such  yarns  as  they  did  spin! 
She  afterward  remarked  to  Mrs.  Moulton,  as  some 
time  later  she  stepped  into  the  kitchen  to  test  the 
coffee  that  was  to  be  served  in  the  library,  "  Why, 
I  could  'most  smell  the  pine  needles  and  see  the 
great  snow-capped  mountains,  and  to  think  that 
Miss  Elanore  and  Massa  Allyn  have  seen  the  same 
wonderful  sight ! " 

"  Yes,  it  was  very  nice  for  them  both,"  returned 
her  mistress ;  "  and  almost  singular  too  that  they 
should  pass  through  with  only  a  few  hours  be- 
tween." 

Meanwhile  in  the  hospitably  furnished  library 
more  yarns  were  in  progress. 

"  I  am  so  sorry  you  had  to  make  such  a  hurried 
trip  of  it  all,  for  it  is  a  country  that  is  too  grand 
to  leave  until  one  actually  has  to.  I  feel  that  I 
shall  never  again  see  such  stars  as  those  I  viewed 
from  between  and  over  God's  gigantic  towers, 


78  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

nor  such  clear  limpid  water  —  can  I  ever  for- 
get it?  " 

"  You  are  as  great  a  lover  of  nature  as  was 
your  brother,"  returned  Allyn  Prentice.  "  He 
would  rather  tramp  it  for  hours  through  moun- 
tains and  glen  than  any  other  fellow  I  ever  met ; 
but  you  are  certainly  right  about  the  territory 
which  we  have  just  passed  through.  I  was  awed 
when  we  '  made  the  loop,'  winding  down  in  and 
about  like  a  huge  viper  with  its  subtleness  and 
strength,  and,  if  you  believe  me,  I  really  envied 
the  trainmen  their  quietness  and  freedom  to  live 
near  old  Mother  Earth,  as  I  passed  the  almost 
isolated  huts  by  the  wayside." 

"  It  is  a  shame  you  cannot  go  back  that  way, 
for  then  you  could  visit  the  most  original  '  snuggy  ' 
you  could  imagine;  for  as  I  have  carte  blanche  to 
it,  it  would  be  well  worth  your  while," —  here  Dr. 
Moulton's  face  assumed  a  more  thoughtful,  more 
tender  aspect  than  her  companion  had  seen  upon 
it  since  she  enfolded  her  mother  in  her  embrace. 

"  Well,  pray,  what  may  a  *  snuggy  '  be?  "  in- 
quired her  companion,  with  a  slight  gleam  of 
amusement  in  his  rather  critical  eyes.  "  It  is 
surely  a  new  figure  of  speech  to  me." 

"  Just  a  home,  or  rather  homestead,  way  back 
up  a  trail,  where  the  pines  whisper  and  sigh,  and 
where  live  a  brother  and  sister  with  love  so  strong 
for  each  other  that  no  sordidness  could  ever  wean 
one  from  the  other  —  a  love  so  beautiful  to  be- 
hold," said  Elanore  Moulton. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  79 

"  Well,  it  is  rather  unfortunate  I  am  not  per- 
mitted to  embrace  such  a  picture,  but  perhaps  it  is 
better  so,  for,  yoM  see,  my  dear  Doctor,  a  lawyer's 
heart  cannot  afford  to  grow  too  soft;  but,  pray, 
tell  me  more  of  the  pair." 

Here  Mrs.  Moulton,  accompanied  by  Betsy 
carrying  a  tray  on  which  a  coffee  urn  with  its 
steaming  contents  figured  prominently,  brought 
the  conversation  to  a  standstill  for  the  moment, 
and  when  later  it  was  resumed  the  topic,  at  least 
by  one,  had  been  forgotten. 

Over  their  coffee,  mother  and  daughter  listened, 
as  Allyn  Prentice  told  them  of  California,  of  his 
work  and  aspirations,  until  it  seemed  as  if  once 
more  the  years  had  rolled  back  and  he  was  a  lad 
again.  There  had  been  only  a  very  few  years  be- 
tween Rupert  and  Elanore  Moulton  and  Allyn 
Prentice.  The  latter  had  been  reared  by  a  maiden 
aunt  in  a  thriving  New  England  city,  where  he 
had  practically  been  his  own  master  long  before 
he  cast  his  first  ballot.  He  had  always  admired 
his  aunt,  but  she  had  been  what  the  world  calls  a 
practical  woman;  always  keenly  alert  as  to  the 
standard  of  Allyn's  examination  papers,  even  when 
he,  as  a  lad,  attended  the  preliminary  school.  He, 
naturally  a  very  good  scholar,  tried  even  harder, 
as  his  aunt  always  made  it  a  point  of  adding  or 
subtracting  from  his  allowance  in  proportion  as 
his  average  went  up  or  down  the  line.  Thus  in- 
stilled in  his  youthful  mind  that  success  depended 
upon  his  own  exertion,  he  had  year  by  year  put 


80  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

forth  much  energy,  until  now  at  thirty-five  years  of 
age  he  had  risen  even  beyond  his  most  ardent  hopes. 
As  a  lawyer,  he  had  long  been  counted  as  one  of 
the  keenest,  while  for  the  past  few  years  he  had 
given  it  his  attention  to  the  extent  of  his  time,  until 
he  had  come  to  be  known  as  California's  Criminal 
Lawyer;  but  just  as  he  always  was,  Allyn  Prentice 
lacked  the  tenderness  and  sympathy  which  many  a 
clever  lawyer  possessed  and  which  in  the  loss  of  a 
loving  mother  and  tender  environment  he  had  been 
deprived  of.  His  one  thought  for  years  had  been 
self,  name,  position,  glory.  If  he  had  ever  had  a 
real  tenderness  in  his  life,  it  had  been  years  back 
in  his  college  days  and  for  his  friend  and  room- 
mate, Rupert  Moulton.  He  had  been  lionized  for 
years.  As  for  matrimony,  he  had  not  thought  it 
worth  the  trouble,  although  his  vanity  had  been 
appeased  many  times  by  tributes  from  the  fair  sex. 

It  had  been  several  years  now  since  his  visit  East, 
and  much  as  Mrs.  Moulton  and  Elanore  enjoyed 
his  visit  they  both  felt  that,  clever  and  entertaining 
as  he  was,  there  was  a  trace  of  blase  in  his  bearing 
of  which  he  evidently  was  unaware.  He  was  then 
on  his  way  to  Washington,  D.  C.,  upon  some 
special  case  then  pending  in  the  Supreme  Court. 

Swiftly  the  evening  passed  until  Allyn  Prentice 
announced  his  intended  leaving,  as  he  was  obliged 
to  take  a  very  early  train  next  morning.  The 
added  persuasion  of  Mrs.  Moulton  and  Elanore  for 
him  to  remain  their  guest  over  night  did  not  pre- 
vail, as  he  declared  his  very  early  start  impera- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  81 

tive,  and  that  their  kindness  and  hospitality  should 
not  suffer  from  his  early  hours. 

"  And  now  I  hope  some  day  you  will  think  well 
of  running  out  to  the  land  of  flowers,  when  I  will 
do  my  best  to  show  you  some  of  the  beauties  of  the 
country  of  which  I  am  so  proud." 

His  leave-taking  was  very  sincere  and  both  Mrs. 
Moulton  and  Elanore  felt  an  extreme  tenderness 
for  him  for  auld  lang  syne.  Still  the  doctor  could 
not  refrain  from  adding  as  his  hand  parted  from 
hers,  "  I  forgot  to  tell  you  more  about  the  Snuggy ; 
but  then,  you  see,  lawyers  better  not  have  carte 
blanche  to  such  places."  His  laughing  answer, 
"No,  better  so;  but  then,  who  knows?"  accom- 
panied his  tall  figure  as  the  door  closed  upon  him. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

A  glorious  autumn  followed  in  which  the  little 
creatures  of  the  scented  woods  were  Roma's  next 
guests.  The  squirrels  became  so  friendly  as  they 
scampered  to  and  fro  getting  in  their  harvest  that 
the  girl,  as  she  talked  and  mimicked  them,  felt  that 
she  learned  of  their  secrets  as  she  exchanged  with 
hers. 

Roma  was  changed.  She  herself  admitted  it, 
and  as  for  the  lads,  they  felt  it  sorely.  Still,  she 
was  ever  alert  as  to  their  welfare  and  busied  her- 
self with  a  song  on  her  lips ;  however,  one  or  other 
of  her  boys,  as  she  called  them,  would  often  come 
upon  her  sitting  very  quietly  with  a  thoughtful  ex- 
pression upon  her  sensitive  face,  while  at  times 
wistfulness  keenly  apparent  glowed  at  them,  called 
forth  by  subconscious  communion  with  her  own 
thoughts. 

Joe  was  the  first  to  feel  the  difference;  still, 
never  a  word  did  there  pass  from  his  lips  to  Windy, 
for  he  knew  that  there  had  been  some  talk  of 
Roma's  going  away  to  school  and  he  feared  that 
if  her  brother  were  brought  to  see  the  sense  of 
loneliness  he  felt  certain  was  now  creeping  into  her 
life,  he  would  urge  her  going.  That  secrecy  was 

a  selfish  thing  on  his  part  Joe  acknowledged,  as 

82 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  83 

he  felt  the  warm  blood  in  his  veins  grow  and  then 
subside  into  slow  pulsations  as  he  again  thought 
of  what  her  absence  would  mean  to  him.  But  the 
day  came  when  Windy  put  the  question  to  him 
direct. 

The  boys  had  both  been  away  guiding  tourists 
and  had  at  the  urgent  request  of  the  party  left 
the  ponies  for  the  night  at  a  stable  near  the  chalet 
where  they  were  to  be  used  for  a  ride  by  moonlight. 
The  lads,  who  were  to  be  well  remunerated,  decided 
to  foot  it  back  to  the  Snuggy.  It  was  a  crisp 
autumn  afternoon,  the  air  having  a  zest  like 
champagne,  and  the  friends  bent  their  young 
strength  as  they  climbed  up  the  steep  ascent. 
Windy  seemed  a  trifle  sober,  but  as  the  beauty  of 
his  surroundings  stole  over  him  from  mere  associa- 
tion he  became  brighter,  until  he  seemed  more  like 
the  Windy  of  old.  Their  jokes  sent  forth  many  a 
reechoing  laugh  as  they  still  continued  on  their 
way.  As  they  neared  the  top  of  the  climb,  Windy 
exclaimed,  "  Let's  make  Sis  think  we  are  a  couple 
of  brigands,  and  steal  in  on  her;  she,  not  hearing 
the  ponies  as  they  usually  carry  us  up,  will  indeed 
be  off  her  guard." 

"  Perhaps  she  too  may  be  having  a  tramp," 
answered  Joe  in  rather  an  off-hand  manner,  for  he 
still  remembered  the  somber  looks  he  had  been  a 
witness  to  when  she  had  felt  herself  unobserved. 

But  Windy  seemed  to  think  it  quite  a  lark,  so 
stealthily  they  approached  the  door,  which  they 
reached  by  crouching  low  from  the  side  of  the  trail 


84s  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

to  the  large  pines  which  stood  near  the  Smiggy. 
But  what  could  it  mean,  for  Windy,  with  knuckles 
poised  to  announce  himself,  halted,  while  unmis- 
takable sobs  were  borne  to  the  lads'  ears  and  com- 
ing straight  from  the  Snuggy?  Still  —  still  as 
death  —  both  lads  remained,  but  a  guilty  look  was 
creeping  into  the  eyes  of  Joe,  and  after  a  moment's 
pause,  he  laid  his  hand  on  the  arm  of  his  friend 
while  the  words,  "  I  should  have  told  you  before," 
came  from  his  quivering  lips. 

"Told  what,  Joe?  Be  quick."  Here  a  vision 
of  the  city  cousin  came  before  him  and  with  bated 
breath  and  clinched  hand  he  stood  expecting  to 
hear  that  his  dead  father  in  some  way  had  been 
maligned  and  Sis  —  his  Sis  —  had  learned  of  it. 

"  Just  this,  Windy ;  your  sister  is  grieving  for 
companionship ;  the  companionship  such  as  we  lub- 
bers cannot  give  her.  I  have  seen  it  coming  since 
the  time  that  your  doc  said  good-by,  but  I,  like  a 
selfish  lout,  have  kept  it  from  you,  for  —  well  — " 
—  and  here  the  honest  face  flushed  deep  under  its 
coat  of  tan  — "  because  I  could  not  bear  that  she 
should  leave  us." 

Windy  grasped  the  hand  of  Joe  fervently,  for 
he  felt  not  only  sympathy  but  gratitude  that  his 
worst  fears  had  proved  groundless.  Instead  of  the 
silent  entry  they  had  planned,  a  usual  boyish  an- 
nouncement was  the  result,  preceded  by  an  amount 
of  stepping  not  of  the  lightest  sort,  accompanied 
by  a  prolonged  conversation. 

"  I  will  come  in  later,"  Joe  exclaimed,  as  after 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  85 

a  few  moments  they  heard  Roma's  steps  coming 
to  the  door. 

With  gentle  thoughtfulness  they  had  allowed  her 
time  to  recover  herself  in  a  measure,  still  Joe  felt 
that  no  one  but  Broth  should  encroach  on  her  at  a 
moment  when  the  depths  of  her  heart  were  in  such 
sore  trouble.  It  was,  therefore,  Broth  alone  that 
met  the  sad-eyed  girl,  who  eagerly  appeared  to  be 
gay,  though  the  mist  was  hardly  free  from  the  gray 
eyes  where  an  assumed  gleam  reigned  instead. 

"  Why  —  what  —  has  anything  happened  ?  "  ex- 
claimed Roma,  a  look  of  fear  following  the  sad- 
ness in  her  eyes  as  she  noticed  the  retreating  figure 
of  Joe  and  beheld  her  brother,  each  without  his 
pony. 

"  No  —  no,  Sis,  just  a  chance  to  gain  a  little 
more  of  the  wherewithal  to  send  you  to  Pennsyl- 
vania to  get  some  laming,"  cheerily  answered 
Windy  as  he  drew  her  gently  into  the  Snuggy,  the 
darkness  inside  proving  a  friend  indeed,  as  neither 
wished  the  other  to  realize  the  tumult  that  reigned 
in  their  innermost  thoughts. 

Windy  was  most  graphic  in  his  conversation  to 
Sis,  as  she  busied  herself  getting  supper  for  her 
boys.  Soon  Joe  tramped  in,  and  a  merry  meal 
they  tried  to  make  for  the  girl,  although  both 
watched  her  furtively  while  there  and  then  they 
felt  that  it  was  indeed  a  changed  Roma  from  their 
comrade  of  former  times. 

From  that  on  Windy  watched  his  Sis  keenly, 
and  many  little  remarks  he  dropped  as  to  the  time 


86  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

when  she  should  return  to  them  a  real  up-to-date 
young  woman,  but  not  a  word  of  her  actual  time  of 
leaving,  until  one  day  he  received  a  letter  post- 
marked Pennsylvania,  and  in  unmistakably  a  lady's 
handwriting.  Somehow  that  night,  as  he  made 
his  way  up  the  familiar  trail  that  led  to  the 
Snuggy,  it  seemed  that  indeed  the  last  tie  that 
bound  him  to  the  homestead  would  soon  be  severed, 
for  he  realized  the  time  had  come  for  Sis  — his  Sis 
—  to  leave  her  lonely  home  and  seek  the  com- 
panionship of  others.  How  he  too  would  like  to 
go  out  into  the  world  for  a  time !  Not  that  he  did 
not  love  the  woods  and  the  trail  —  no,  for  these 
were  his  life  —  but  the  constant  society  of  Ben, 
Ben  the  overbearing,  was  wearing  to  his  nerves. 
To  be  sure,  the  city  cousin  was  away  a  good  bit 
of  the  time,  going  often  to  the  next  settlement 
where  he  had  become  chummy  with  a  gang  of  real 
boys,  as  Joe  laughingly  called  them.  This  took 
him  away  many  an  evening,  in  fact  several  days 
had  been  known  to  pass  without  his  returning,  and 
then  in  a  most  irritable  state  of  mind.  At  present 
he  was  taking  a  week's  tramp  in  which  to  get  ac- 
quainted, as  he  remarked,  "  with  game  both  un- 
tamed and  otherwise."  He  was  to  have  as  com- 
rade one  of  his  cronies,  and  when  at  last  he  said 
his  good-by  none  at  the  Snuggy  were  at  all  sad  at 
his  departure.  Roma  many  times  in  the  past 
months  had  put  the  question  to  her  brother  as  to 
his  length  of  stay,  but  was  always  answered  to  the 
effect  that  he  was  their  cousin,  therefore  they  must 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  87 

make  him  welcome.  And  now  Windy  was  indeed 
very  glad  that  Ben  was  away  upon  a  hunt,  for  he 
knew  that  Sis  would  want  to  spend  her  last  few 
days  with  her  boys,  for  the  title  had  been  dear  to 
Joe  and  himself  long  before  the  third  lad  had 
arrived  to  be  included  in  the  list. 

That  evening  as  they  all  sat  in  the  cosy  sitting- 
room  of  the  Snuggy,  Windy  suddenly  left  the  room, 
only  to  return  in  a  few  minutes  holding  a  letter 
which  he  placed  into  his  Sis's  hands,  saying,  "  It  is 
all  really  true,  my  lassie.  Joe  and  I  are  only 
waiting  to — "  but  Roma  heard  no  more,  for  she 
was  being  transplanted  many  miles  away  as  she 
read  with  bated  breath  and  gleaming  eyes,  until  a 
long-drawn,  half-sobbed,  half-ecstatic  "  Oh !  "  es- 
caped her. 

The  next  moment  she  was  kneeling  at  Windy's 
feet,  while  a  convulsed  little  figure  was  sobbing  as 
the  boys  had  heard  her  before,  though  she  had 
never  dreamed  of  it.  Now,  as  before,  Joe  stole 
noiselessly  from  the  room,  while  an  answering  sob 
was  not  far  from  the  surface  in  his  own  manly 
throat. 

"  Oh,  Broth,  I  am  so  glad  but  " —  and  here  her 
earnest  eyes  searched  his  face  — "  are  you  sure 
you  can  spare  me?  You  see,  I  will  come  again  in 
June  and  then  perhaps  I  may  never  want  to  go 
back  again  " ;  this  in  a  sort  of  apologetic  tone, 
the  hearing  of  which  made  Windy  draw  the  lithe 
figure  the  closer,  as  he  answered, 

"  Yes,  I  can  spare  you,  for  I  know  it  is  right 


88  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

that  I  should,  and  time  will  tell  best  whether  you 
return  or  not ;  and  now,  you  see,  you  are  to  leave 
by  the  end  of  this  week  as  Doc  wants  you  to  start 
with  the  class  at  its  beginning;  and  to  think  that 
my  Sis  will  not  only  study  things  she  should  know, 
but  drawing  and  painting  as  well  —  for  you  re- 
member both  Mrs.  Raynor  and  our  doc  were  very 
strong  upon  that  point.  And  now,  my  young 
lady,  do  you  think  you  can  manage  the  trip  alone? 
I  will  go  a  starter  with  you  and  Doc  will  meet  you 
at  the  train  when  you  reach  her  home  city.  It 
will  take  you  three  or  four  days ;  you  will  eat  and 
sleep  in  queer  places;  but  you  are  game;  you  can 
and  will  do  it." 

"  Yes,  I  can  and  will,"  came  like  an  echo  from 
the  strained,  red  lips. 

A  little  later  a  lively  trio  canvassed  the  situa- 
tion. Joe  offered  Roma  a  little  horsehair  trunk, 
his  one  treasure,  as  it  had  belonged  to  his  dead 
mother,  and  no  living  soul  but  the  girl  could  have 
been  an  incentive  for  him  to  part  with  it.  She 
accepted  it  upon  one  condition,  that  he  would  write 
her  and  tell  her  of  all  the  happenings  at  the 
Snuggy  and  thereabouts. 

The  remaining  few  days  seemed  like  unreal  ones 
to  the  waiting  girl.  The  sorrow  which  she  felt  at 
leaving  home  and  the  boys  seemed  like  a  faraway 
loss,  for  the  anticipation  of  going  into  a  world  — 
like  Dr.  Moulton's  world  —  was  filling  and  absorb- 
ing her  uttermost  thoughts.  Roma,  who  was  any- 
thing but  a  selfish  girl,  now  felt  an  almost  guilty 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  89 

twinge  at  her  eagerness  to  start.  She  had  been 
upon  the  trails,  bidding  all  her  haunts  a  fond 
good-by,  stowing  up  pictures  in  her  memory  of  tall 
pines  where  the  sun's  rays  seemed  to  linger,  and 
where  the  scent  of  the  carpeted  earth  was  frag- 
rance to  the  senses.  The  lakes  were  like  oases  in 
her  mind's  picture,  with  their  mirrored  depths  re- 
flecting the  white  turrets  of  the  stately  glaciers. 
The  royally  glorious  sunsets  acted  as  a  benediction 
to  the  many  scenes  she  would  carry  with  her  into 
the  unknown  world. 

And  now  as  she  stood  waiting  for  Gypsy  to  be 
brought  to  the  door  by  Joe,  who  had  asked  that  he 
might,  as  it  would  be  the  last  service  he  could  per- 
form for  her  for  quite  a  spell,  she  felt  that,  as  her 
father  used  to  say,  there  are  many  stages  for 
man;  surely  it  was  true  also  for  all,  and  that  she 
was  leaving  one  to  ferret  out  another. 

The  sound  of  horses'  hoofs  beating  the  hard 
ground  sent  the  color  to  her  cheeks  and  a  light  to 
her  eyes,  and  when  she  sprung  into  her  saddle, 
Joe,  whose  eyes  had  never  left  her  face,  exclaimed, 
"  Well,  Roma,  I  shall  still  have  Gypsy  to  take  care 
of,  and  I  shall  see  you  many  times  looking  as  you 
did  the  day  long  back  when  you  informed  me  she 
was  not  a  bit  like  a  circus  horse.  But  we  have 
been  good  friends  since  then,  eh,  lass,"  Joe  added, 
as  he  stepped  to  the  side  of  the  really  unusual- 
looking  creature,  upon  whose  sleek  back  Roma  was 
seated  as  she  gazed  down  at  him. 

"  Yes,  indeed,  Joey ;  we  sure  have  and  shall  be 


90  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

again.  Remember  those  letters  and  take  good 
care  of  my  beauty," — here  the  little  brown  hand 
found  a  resting  place  upon  the  broad  shoulders  of 
the  lad  and  a  face  leaned  lower  and  closer  to  his 
while  a  tender  cadence  came  into  the  clear  voice,  as 
she  added,  "  and  my  Broth." 

"  Well,  Sis,  you  are  as  spry  as  a  cricket  this 
morning  to  be  sure."  Here  Windy,  looking  the 
veritable  guide,  appeared,  while  Joe  clasped  the 
hand  that  had  found  a  ready  companion  as  the 
words,  "  Never  fear,"  answered  her  request. 

It  was  only  the  work  of  a  moment  to  lift  the 
small  horsehair  trunk  upon  Glossy's  back  and 
fasten  it  to  its  strappings.  Joe  insisted  upon 
playing  porter,  keeping  up  a  lively  conflab  the 
while  —  but  quite  a  different  face  did  his  present 
when  the  last  gleams  of  scarlet  failed  to  glint  back 
at  him  from  the  swaying  figure  upon  the  circus 
horse.  He  turned  —  alone  —  and  entered  the 
Snuggy,  which  nestled  under  its  pines. 


CHAPTER  XV 

Down,  down  the  trail  the  lad  and  his  idolized 
Sis  took  their  way,  and  if  Roma  ever  and  anon 
clasped  her  arms  around  the  neck  of  her  four- 
footed  friend  and  whispered  words  of  endearment 
into  her  listening  ear,  who  could  blame  her?  — 
they  had  been  such  loyal  friends  so  long,  these  two. 

One  of  our  greatest  artists  always  believed  that 
dumb  creatures  had  an  immortal  soul,  so  to  this 
girl  of  nature  similar  thoughts  often  presented 
themselves.  To  Windy,  she  was  the  bright,  ani- 
mated, little  traveler,  asking  many  questions,  the 
answers  of  which  he  was  as  much  in  ignorance  as 
herself.  She  was  feeling  a  little  troubled  about 
going  to  bed  in  the  queer-looking  bunk  Broth  said 
she  would  have  to  do,  but  thought  it  would  be  fine 
fun  to  eat  at  little  tables  for  so  many  meals,  "  And 
you  see,  Broth,  I  shall  not  have  to  do  even  one  bit 
of  the  cooking  myself." 

Many  little  veins  of  thought  fulness  crept  into 
both  their  minds,  but  by  much  tact  were  spanned 
over  until  the  lengthy  ride  had  been  completed  and 
the  great  iron  monster  actually  hove  in  sight. 
They  had  both  alighted  from  the  backs  of  the 
ponies  and  had  left  them  with  a  lad  at  some  little 

distance  from  the  station,  as  hissing  and  puffing 

91 


92  .     GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

were  not  familiar  sounds  to  their  unaccustomed 
ears. 

Now  it  was  the  wrench  came,  how  keen  none 
could  say  except  those  who  have  passed  through 
a  similar  ordeal.  But  brave  must  be  the  one  word 
used  to  cover  the  scene,  for  as  Windy,  after  putting 
his  Sis  into  the  care  of  the  kind-hearted  conductor, 
bidding  him  take  good  care  of  the  girl,  turned  to 
say  good-by,  the  face  of  each  had  a  tenseness  very 
foreign  to  their  usual  expression.  Still  not  a  sob 
from  either,  but  the  eyes  of  the  lad  seemed  riveted 
to  the  face  of  his  companion  until  these  words 
almost  unconsciously  came  from  her  lips,  wrung 
from  her  by  the  searching  of  his  glance,  "  Why, 
Broth,  you  will  see  me  again,  and  it  will  not  be  so 
long." 

The  answer,  "  Why,  to  be  sure,"  was  a  plucky 
trial  for  success. 

Louder  puffing  and  general  commotion  warned 
Windy,  and  after  a  succession  of  smacks,  which  he 
left  upon  forehead,  cheek  and  lips  of  his  Sis,  he 
left  the  train.  The  porter,  who  had  been  a  partial 
witness  to  the  scene,  here  asked  Roma  if  she  would 
not  like  to  stand  where  she  could  see  as  they  left 
the  station,  and  at  her  saying  she  should  very 
much,  he  took  her  through  the  train  until  the  ob- 
servation car  was  reached  —  the  girl  beginning 
already  to  be  almost  dazed  as  they  passed  through 
room  after  room,  as  she  felt  them  to  be  —  until  at 
the  end  of  their  walk  she  espied  Gypsy,  and  in 
another  second  her  Broth  was  again  in  her  vision, 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  93 

he  following  outside  at  a  word  from  the  porter. 
A  grateful  little  laugh  was  quite  payment  enough 
for  the  porter,  while  the  shrill  whistle  and  the 
answering  neigh  from  the  unusual-looking  horse 
that  stood  at  some  distance  diligently  pawing  the 
earth  as  if  questioning  her  right  to  be  left  in  the 
lurch,  brought  a  semblance  of  mist  to  the  eyes  of 
the  lad  who  was  soon  to  return  to  the  hills  with  one 
riderless  pony. 

Seating  herself  in  one  of  the  chairs  while  the 
porter  kept  watch  over  her,  Roma's  waving, 
waving  was  borne  beyond  sight,  her  last  glimpse 
being  the  snow-capped  peaks  above  God's  shrine, 
while  the  scarlet  of  her  ribbon  mixed  with  the  white- 
ness of  her  little  individual  flag  she  sent  as  signal 
back  until  it  could  be  seen  no  more. 

Then,  with  a  long  sigh,  wholly  unconscious  of 
its  extreme  pathos,  Roma  put  the  little  white  sig- 
nal back  in  her  pocket  and  glancing  up  into  the 
face  of  the  porter  exclaimed,  "  May  I  stay  here 
fora  little?" 

"  You  sure  may,  Miss,  if  you  will  promise  not 
to  move  until  I  come  for  you.  You  see,  this 
monster,  the  train  I  mean,  Miss,  goes  mighty  fast 
and  you  know  your  brother  gave  me  my  instruc- 
tions" (and  he  might  also  have  added  a  neat  little 
sum  as  well)  "  to  watch  over  you." 

It  was  rather  unusual  that  no  one  but  the  girl 
occupied  the  observation  end,  but  it  was  rather 
late  in  the  season  and  some  who  had  passed  through 
before  did  not  feel  disposed  to  leave  their  com- 


94  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

fortable  lounging  chairs.  To  the  girl  sitting  there 
in  the  solitude  nothing  could  have  been  more  pleas- 
ing. Her  thoughts  at  times  were  earnest,  almost 
sad,  then  through  her  mentality  would  leap  visions 
of  people  —  life  and  a  world  —  the  world  of  Dr. 
Moulton,  until  the  grandeur  and  beauties  through 
which  she  was  passing  became  so  pronounced  that 
she  could  only  think  of  them  and  their  Creator. 

Roma,  who  had  an  artistic  temperament  far 
beyond  the  average,  was  in  great  ecstasy  at  the 
coloring  of  the  foliage  —  the  visions  of  the  cas- 
cades and  the  wonderment  of  the  Pass.  How  it 
could  have  been  possible  for  any  one  to  cut  a 
pathway  for  humanity  so  that  they  might  enjoy 
such  scenes  of  nature  as  those  through  which  she 
was  being  carried  was  to  her  a  great  wonderment. 

The  next  days  passed  in  a  sort  of  trance  in  which 
the  customs  of  the  trip  were  learned,  some  enjoyed, 
but  all  rather  tiring  the  girl  as  her  sense  of  self- 
consciousness  caused  her  temporary  uneasiness. 
Day  dreams  occupied  much  of  her  time  for  she  had 
determined  to  study  and  improve  so  that  she  might 
some  day  be  of  the  world  —  the  world  of  the  kind 
woman  who  had  drawn  from  her  a  longing  to  be 
something  she  was  not.  And  now  in  a  very  few 
hours  she  would  see  that  face  that  had  left  such 
an  impression,  as  it  had  filled  her  with  a  wish  for 
something  she  had  never  before  known.  In  her 
day  dreams  just  a  tinge  of  loneliness  had  crept  in, 
in  spite  of  the  novelty  of  her  position,  and  the 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  95 

glamour  of  the  picture  of  herself  she  had  almost 
unconsciously  painted. 

The  desolute  waste  of  the  wheat  fields  had  been 
like  a  different  world  to  her.  She  missed  the  tower- 
ing, subdued  strength  of  the  mountains;  in  fact, 
felt  in  her  own  poor  little  frame  the  need  and  com- 
panionship of  them  to  guide  her  on  her  way.  If 
Roma  had  ever  thought  about  the  wheat  plains  it 
was  only  in  a  vague  sort  of  way.  At  first  as  the 
train  rolled  into  their  midst,  after  the  mountains 
had  seemed  to  leap  from  themselves,  she  experienced 
only  a  sense  of  surprise  that  any  condition  could 
be  otherwise  than  grand,  exalting;  but  as  the  hours 
rolled  on  and  the  waste  spread  before  her  limitless, 
she  began  to  feel  a  sense  of  loss,  until  she  acknowl- 
edged to  herself  that  she  was  beginning  to  feel 
homesick  for  her  boys  and  for  the  lofty  peaks. 

She  had  met  a  number  of  tourists,  but  none  like 
the  dear  one  she  was  on  her  way  to  see. 

"  And  now,  my  little  lady,  we  have  only  an  hour, 
if  all  goes  as  it  should,  before  we  reach  your  des- 
tination. I  shall  be  very  sorry  to  part  from  you, 
for  I  have  sort  of  seen  the  world  over  again  with 
your  fresh  appreciative  eyes,  although  the  wheat 
plains  were  not  your  choice,  eh  —  well,  you  see  all 
are  not  lucky  enough  to  live  among  mountains  and 
the  pines." 

"  No,  that  is  what  I  have  been  thinking ;  but  I 
am  very  glad  I  was  a  lucky  one." 

"  Perhaps  now  when  you  come  back  with  me,  as 


96  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

I  hope  it  may  be  on  my  run,  you  will  have  grown  to 
like  the  gay  city  so  well  you  will  have  forgotten 
all  about  your  tall  sentinels  back  up  the  trail." 

"  Ah,  no,"  exclaimed  Roma ;  "  that  could  never 
be,  for  they  have  always  been  friends  to  me  and  I 
am  true  to  my  friends." 

"  I  can  well  believe  that,"  returned  her  com- 
panion, "  and  now  when  I  go  back  again  into  the 
land  of  the  pines,  I  will  sometimes  see  that  good 
brother  of  yours  and  I  shall  tell  him  what  a  plucky 
sister  he  has." 

That  night  as  a  train  pulled  into  a  great  East- 
ern station  more  than  one  person  looked  with  keen 
interest  at  a  young  girl,  unmistakably  Western 
from  the  soft  felt  hat  placed  so  gracefully  care- 
lessly upon  her  head  to  the  high  shoes  which 
reached  well  up  to  the  lithe  limbs,  there  to  be  met 
by  a  frock  of  dark  brown,  while  the  scarlet  which 
leant  itself  to  the  picture  was  like  a  flashing  smile 
as  it  scintillated  here  and  anon  as  the  wearer 
hastened  to  the  outstretched  arms  waiting  to  re- 
ceive her. 

If  Elanore  Moulton  had  felt  a  tenderness  for  the 
mountain  lass,  she  keenly  yearned  to  aid  in  every 
way  this  girl  Roma,  and  as  they  stood  heart  to 
heart  they  both  realized  the  magnetism  which  so 
often  permeates  from  one  to  another,  making  ties 
strong  as  life  itself.  Much  questioning  followed, 
for  Dr.  Moulton  could  see  that  excitement  was 
being  held  with  rigid  hands  by  the  lass,  and  she 
felt  it  much  wiser  to  find  an  outlet. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  97 

Windy  and  Joe  and  even  Ben  received  their  due 
amount  of  mention,  and  from  one  with  eyes  which 
shone  like  the  stars  over  her  native  wood.  The 
little  horsehair  trunk  was  duly  found  and  Ben 
well  praised  for  his  great  thoughtf illness.  Sud- 
denly the  words,  "  Roma,  tell  me,  child,  that  you 
are  glad  to  see  me,  for  to  me  it  is  good  for  you 
to  be  here." 

For  answer,  a  cold  fluttering  hand  pressed  itself 
to  Dr.  Moulton's  cheek,  as  Roma  said,  "  Oh,  yes, 
I  too  say  it  is  good  to  be  here." 

The  ride  through  the  busy  streets  was  like  a 
fairy  tale  to  the  mountaineer,  and  once  as  Dr. 
Moulton  put  her  arm  about  the  slender  figure  sit- 
ting beside  her  she  felt  the  tremor  that  was  swaying 
her,  and  once  she  heard  the  words  — "  her  world  " 
—  as  they  came  in  dazed  manner  from  the  tense 
lips. 

Dr.  Moulton  explained  many  things  as  they 
neared  her  home,  for  Roma  was  to  spend  a  week 
with  her,  as  her  assumed  guardian  knew  full  well 
the  many  articles  her  protege  would  need  to  be 
simply  presentable.  "  But  for  my  part,"  she 
afterward  told  her  mother,  "  I  would  like  nothing 
better  than  to  see  my  little  mountain  girl  garbed 
in  her  usual  dress  and  as  I  first  beheld  her  at  the 
height  of  the  trail." 

"  She  certainly  is  most  picturesque,  and  I  do  not 
wonder  she  held  your  fancy  for  she  is  lovely.  But, 
of  course,  her  native  costume  must  be  put  away 
for  it  would  simply  be  impossible  to  have  her  so 


98  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

continue  to  dress  even  as  it  is  part  of  her  person- 
ality." 

To  Roma  she  seemed  to  be  walking,  talking  and 
breathing  in  an  atmosphere  which  breathed  back  at 
her  these  words  continually  "  her  world,"  her 
world,  and  the  very  companionship  of  the  asser- 
tion gave  her  courage  so  that  she  naturally  as- 
sumed an  ease  wonderful  to  behold. 

At  dinner  she  gave  such  a  graphic  description 
of  the  loveliness  of  the  route  until  the  reaching  of 
the  wheat  prairies,  then  she  exclaimed  with  much 
warmth  that  "  surely  God  made  them  just  before 
reaching  the  mountains  so  that  one  could  not  but 
see  the  wonderment  of  it  all." 

"  Yes,  dear,  I  think  you  are  right,  and  I  only 
wish  Allyn  could  have  heard  you  say  that,"  ex- 
claimed Elanore  Moulton. 

The  next  few  days  were  busy  ones  for  both  Roma 
and  Dr.  Moulton,  for  a  seamstress  had  been  en- 
gaged and  many  new  accessories  were  turned  out 
from  cloth,  muslin  and  lace  to  the  gratification  of 
all.  Roma  had  been  viewed  and  interviewed  by 
Betsy,  who  pronounced  her  a  nice  little  critter,  but 
she  could  not  quite  understand  why  her  clothes 
made  her  seem  so  like  a  boy,  adding,  "  She  sup- 
posed it  was  those  flannel  blouses  and  low  collars 
she  wore,  not  to  say  anything  of  a  hat  without  even 
a  posy  or  feather  stuck  in  it." 

"  My,  but  how  Miss  Roma  do  love  fire  color," 
Betsy  exclaimed  to  Mrs.  Moulton  one  day  as  she 
stood  and  feasted  her  eyes  upon  the  girlish  figure, 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  99 

as  she  made  her  appearance  at  dinner  in  one  of  the 
new  creations.  It  was  simply  a  dress  of  cream 
serge,  but  made  in  such  different  fashion  from  her 
usual  habiliment,  a  bit  of  lace  only  being  used  at 
neck  and  sleeves,  as  Dr.  Moulton  had  planned  to 
keep  it  all  in  white.  Pleased  as  Roma  had  been 
with  it,  a  look  had  crept  into  her  face  when  it  had 
been  tried  on  for  the  last  time  and  pronounced 
finished,  that  had  brought  the  words,  "  What  is  it, 
Roma ;  you  have  some  wish,  for  I  see  it  in  your 
face?  " 

"  Oh,  did  I  show  it?  I  did  not  mean  to,  but, 
Dr.  Moulton,  it  was  that  I  missed  my  sunset  color." 

"  You  funny  child,  but  you  shall  have  it."  So 
instead  of  a  lass  in  demure  white,  a  girl  with  scar- 
let-encircled waist,  together  with  flowing  tie  of 
the  same  hue  at  the  finish  of  the  low  lace  collar, 
stood  smiling  under  Betsy's  scrutiny. 

"  Yes,  Betsy,  it  is  the  color  of  our  sunset-kissed 
hills  and  was  the  one  my  dada  liked  so  well,  and  I 
too  love  it,  oh  so  dearly,  my  gleam  of  scarlet." 

"  Well,  Miss,  it  sure  is  highly  becoming,"  and 
Betsy's  face  looked  the  admiration  she  felt.  So 
that  from  that  time  on  the  little  mountain  girl  was, 
as  heretofore,  always  accompanied  by  her  touch 
of  scarlet. 

The  days  passed  so  rapidly  that  Roma  could 
scarcely  believe  the  truth,  that  her  week  had  ended 
and  that  on  the  morrow  she  would  meet  with  girls 
—  girls  with  whom  she  would  live  and  know.  She 
would  have  so  liked  to  remain  with  her  dear,  dear 


100  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

doctor  but  knew  that  was  not  to  be,  but  she  would 
study  and  learn  and  some  day  she  would  really  and 
truly  be  of  her  world,  for  now  even  more  than 
ever  did  Roma  feel  a  something  that  filled  the  life 
of  her  dear  benefactress,  which  she  did  not  possess. 

Broth  had  been  written  to,  but  the  girl  felt  what 
a  poor,  sorry-looking  letter  it  was.  Still,  if  love 
deep  and  ardent  could  make  it  worth  sending,  it 
was  surely  safe  in  the  Snuggy  ere  this,  for  Roma 
had  not  delayed  in  telling  her  brother  the  wonder- 
ment of  her  trip  as  soon  as  she  reached  the  charm- 
ing home  of  her  benefactress. 

Many  times  during  the  past  few  days  had  she 
been  in  spirit  with  her  boys  and  once  she  had 
dreamed  that  she  was  again  in  the  saddle,  and  that 
the  fresh  mountain  air  was  filling  her  senses  with 
ecstasy.  In  the  morning  when  she  remembered  her 
dream  she  felt  momentarily  a  sense  of  loneliness 
but  her  new  life  was  so  bright  it  soon  effaced  the 
shadow.  She  was,  however,  very  glad  when  upon 
seeking  her  room  that  had  been  made  to  look  so 
homelike,  she  could  behold  Broth's  pictured  face 
looking  at  her  and  see  the  ponies  and  the  Snuggy, 
as  Dr.  Moulton  had  succeeded  in  getting  many 
good  likenesses  when  upon  her  trip  the  previous 
year. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

Once  more  the  holiday  season  was  reigning  over 
the  land,  while  the  spirit  that  no  other  time  in  the 
whole  year  can  bring  prevailed.  The  girls,  real 
girls,  of  whom  Roma  was  now  one,  showed  it  in  all 
their  being,  even  their  lessons  for  the  time  were 
not  pursued  as  diligently  as  at  other  periods. 

Roma  had  been  one  with  these  girls  some  weeks 
now  and  had  become  a  general  favorite.  She  was 
so  different,  one  of  them  had  remarked,  and  she  did 
not  seem  to  try  and  hide  it  —  why,  when  some  one 
asked  her  where  she  had  been  to  school,  she  simply 
said,  "  Nowhere,"  in  such  an  honest  way  that  even 
the  girls  who  were  tempted  to  ridicule  her  simply 
appeared  not  to  notice  her  confession.  These 
same  girls  were  afterwards  her  stanch  friends,  al- 
ways ready  to  help  her  and  always  ready  to>  sit  at 
her  feet  while  they  saw  with  her  eyes  tall,  snow- 
capped mountains,  and  breathed  in  long  draughts 
of  pine-scented  air,  for  Roma  even  yet  seemed  to 
live  in  spirit  much  of  the  time  among  her  native 
hills.  Of  her  beloved  boys  and  her  dear  Gypsy 
she  had  as  yet  said  very  little,  as  she  felt  she  could 
not  breathe  her  fondness  for  them  in  such  a  matter- 
of-fact  atmosphere. 

At  first  Roma  felt  the  strangeness,  the  hustle 
101 


102  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

and  bustle,  that  permeated  her  new  life.  It  was 
in  such  marked  contrast  to  the  quietness  of  her 
past  existence  that  she  felt  a  sense  of  uncertainty 
as  to  the  right  manner  of  acting,  but  time  soon 
altered  that,  until  now  no  one  was  more  the  center 
of  the  little  circles  which  met  to  discuss  this  plan 
or  that  than  the  girl  upon  whom  a  touch  of  scarlet 
always  rested. 

To  the  question  put  her  as  to  the  wearing  of  her 
beloved  insignia,  she  simply  had  remarked  that 
somehow  it  brought  her  nearer  to  her  home  and 
brother.  She  had  applied  herself  most  diligently 
to  her  tasks,  always  with  the  one  thought  held  be- 
fore her,  "  her  world."  She  had  also  started  with 
her  pencil  and  brush  while  her  instructor  had  com- 
plimented her  highly  upon  her  ability.  To  Roma, 
it  was  as  if  she  had  brought  a  friend  with  her  — 
side  by  side  to  remain,  to  sympathize,  to  enjoy 
and  feel  with  her  —  and  even  in  her  first  attempt 
at  a  sketch  she  had  made  the  subject  teem  with 
such  a  personality. 

Letters  from  both  Broth  and  Joe  had  been  joy- 
ously received,  while  the  Yuletide  was  to  bring  her 
something,  the  lads  had  informed  her,  of  especial 
value,  as  her  birthday  was  the  first  day  of  the  New 
Year,  and  so  the  importance  of  the  expected  parcel 
was  to  be  of  unusual  value.  The  lads  had  written 
that  they  were  busy  getting  in  ice  for  the  chalet 
•and  that  they  were  having  cold,  snapping  weather ; 
that  they  missed  their  little  housekeeper,  but 
wanted  her  to  enjoy  herself. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  103 

The  day  before  Christmas  proved  to  be  a  very 
busy  one  at  the  seminary.  Dr.  Moulton  had  in- 
vited her  to  her  home  for  the  vacation  period  and 
already  Roma  was  anticipating  her  companionship 
with  her.  The  girls  were  hurrying  about,  many 
of  them  preparing  to  take  trains  for  distant  homes, 
their  faces  glowing  and  radiating  their  suppressed 
anticipation.  Dr.  Moulton  had  promised  to  call 
for  Roma  and  when  the  maid  announced  her,  a  face 
beaming  and  expectant  greeted  her. 

It  had  been  many  years  since  a  young  life  had 
been  in  their  midst  at  the  season's  happiest,  holiest 
day  and  the  mother  and  daughter  had  been  of  one 
mind  to  make  it  indeed  a  gladsome  one  for  her. 
Betsy,  also,  was  full  of  schemes,  and  to  a  very 
secret  household  Roma  was  driven. 

The  plan  had  been  for  a  dainty  Christmas  even- 
ing lunch  with  several  of  the  girls  as  guests,  while 
a  small  tree  with  electric  decorations  was  to  be 
enjoyed  as  the  evening  advanced.  Christmas  Day 
dawned  clear  and  cold,  while  during  the  night  a 
light  fall  of  snow  gave  a  tinge  of  purity  to  the 
scene.  Outside,  the  shrubs  were  filled  with  chat- 
tering sparrows,  looking  and  hoping  for  their  share 
of  the  Christmas  delicacies,  while  in  the  glowing 
flower-bedecked  home  was  a  spirit  of  good  cheer, 
every  one  looking  from  secret  corners,  in  expecta- 
tion of  the  evening.  One  parcel  alone  Dr.  Moul- 
ton had  allowed  Roma  to  open  —  this  one  bearing 
a  distant  postmark  and  which  Roma  knew  must  be 
from  her  boys. 


104  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

"  You  see,  dear,"  explained  Elanore  Moulton, 
"  I  can  see  the  ones  left  behind  in  the  Snuggy 
opening  our  box  to  them,  so  I  would  like  kindred 
spirits  to  meet;  therefore,  my  child,  examine  your 
little  packet." 

Windy  and  his  Doc  had  been  in  communication 
for  some  time  regarding  Roma's  united  Christmas 
and  birthday  present,  so  that  while  Windy  had 
paid  for  the  trinket,  and  really  selected  it,  Elanore 
Moulton  had  been  the  one  who  had  sent  the  box 
containing  several  of  the  baubles  for  Windy's 
especial  selection.  And  now  as  Roma  stood  there, 
the  light  caught  and  scintillated  from  a  band  of 
gold  which  encircled  her  finger  —  her  one  orna- 
ment —  though  not  bearing  her  own  initials  upon 
its  smooth  surface,  but  the  ones  of  A.  E,  P. 

"  Yes,  I  expect  Santa  has  arrived  at  the  top  of 
the  trail  with  his  busy  reindeer  delivery  ere  this, 
but  what  can  I  have  in  this  box  ?  "  for  the  wrappings 
had  disclosed  as  much  and  in  another  second  a 
lovely  little  ring  with  a  flash  of  color  emitting  from 
it  was  before  the  pleased  eyes  of  the  girl. 

"  Oh,  Dr.  Moulton,  is  this  my  very  own,  and  it 
must  be  the  stone  of  my  birth  month,  for  that  was 
red  like  a  drop  of  blood,  Broth  used  to  tell  me. 
How  do  you  suppose  he  ever  could  have  thought  of 
it  for  me?  " 

A  slight  smile  upon  the  doctor's  face  brought  the 
girl  quickly  to  her  side,  keen  with  appreciation, 
but  simply  to  learn  the  truth  that  her  benefactress 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  105 

had  only  assisted  the  boys  by  sending  them  several 
from  their  own  description  to  choose  from. 

"  Just  the  same,  I  thank  you  for  your  share,  and 
oh,  I  wish  my  boys  were  only  here  that  I  might 
thank  them.  Is  it  not  a  beauty  ?  " —  and  here 
Roma  slipped  the  sparkling  jewel  close  over  the 
one  she  had  guarded  so  tenderly  since  the  day  she 
had  beheld  it  gleaming  out  at  her  from  the  side  of 
the  trail. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

Christmas  Day  in  the  mountains  was  spent  in 
quite  different  fashion  from  the  one  she,  whom  the 
boys  missed  so  keenly,  had  enjoyed.  To  be  sure, 
their  pleasure  at  the  arrival  and  contents  of  the 
holiday  box  was  great;  still  in  a  way  it  only  ac- 
centuated the  temporary  loss  of  Roma,  for  they 
felt  her  missed  presence  but  the  more  as  they 
brought  to  sight  the  articles  for  their  comfort 
which  she  and  Dr.  Moulton  had  so  thoughtfully 
planned.  Even  Ben  had  not  been  forgotten,  al- 
though he  had  not  deigned  to  spend  the  holiday 
at  the  Snuggy,  but  rather  had  been  making  quite 
a  time  of  it  the  last  few  days,  and  was  to  continue 
it,  as  it  seemed,  indefinitely. 

Not  that  either  Joe  or  Windy  missed  his  pres- 
ence, for  he  did  not  improve  upon  lengthy  acquaint- 
ance; still  as  his  prolonged  absence  always  made 
him  more  sarcastic  if  possible  than  ever,  the  lads 
were  not  particular  at  his  leave  of  absence. 

How  they  had  missed  Roma,  neither  she  could 
nor  would  ever  know,  for  as  she  had  enjoyed  her 
scenes  —  new  friends  and  faces  so  that  the  days 
had  actually  leaped  —  they,  with  the  exception  of 
a  few  lads  whom  they  saw  only  now  and  then,  were 
dependent  upon  each  other  for  society.  They  both 

tried  to  keep  the  Snuggy  as  they  knew  Roma  would 
106 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  107 

wish  it,  but  Joe  at  times  would  almost  solemnly 
declare  it  was  no  use.  Then  they  would  begin 
again,  vowing  that  surely  they  would  keep  things 
in  better  shape.  And  now  it  was  Christmas,  and 
they  were  to  have  their  dinner  alone. 

Joe  had  had  a  bit  of  good  luck  and  laid  low  a 
buck  the  week  previous,  so  that  they  were  to  have 
a  regal  repast  of  venison.  The  lads  took  turns 
at  being  chef,  but  to-day  it  was  to  be  a  partner- 
ship affair.  The  snow  lay  deep  and  silent  over  the 
trails.  The  pines  wore  their  white  mantle  of  holi- 
day attire,  as  if  even  in  the  wilds  nature  must  give 
homage  to  the  Creator  of  all.  The  ponies  were 
having  a  holiday  most  of  the  time  and  Gypsy  was 
growing  fat  as  a  young  cub,  for  both  Windy  and 
Joe  must  bring  her  her  portion  of  sugar  as  a  testi- 
monial of  their  loyalty  to  her  mistress. 

And  now  as  the  aroma  steamed  from  the  platter 
of  venison,  Windy  snatched  his  new  house  coat, 
which  had  been  his  Doc's  gift  to  him,  and  donning 
it  drew  his  chair  to  the  table,  shouting,  "  Now, 
Joe,  get  a  hustle  on  and  come  and  sit  down  while 
things  are  hot,  but  first  we  must  give  three  cheers 
for  one  little  girl  and  the  Doc,"  and  in  a  twinkling 
the  Snuggy  was  resounding  to  the  lusty  call  of  two 
husky  voices. 

"  Jolly,  but  I  wish  they  were  both  here.  Would 
they  not  do  for  dessert  —  just  to  see  their  dear 
faces  would  be  as  fine  as  one  of  Sis's  best  pies  used 
to  be  —  eh,  Joe  ?  "  And  here  Windy  smacked  his 
lips  as  a  bit  of  Joe's  venison  was  tasted. 


108  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

"  Yes,  it  would  be  like  cream  in  coffee,  sure 
enough.  I  wonder  if  she  has  spied  her  trinket  yet 
—  what  a  trump  Doctor  Moulton  is  —  and  Roma 
loves  her  so  well."  Here  Joe  subsided  into  a  quiet- 
ness that  not  even  Windy's  smacks  at  the  quality 
of  his  tidbit  could  rouse  him. 

"  I  say,  Joe,  that  scarlet  tie  is  highly  becoming 
to  your  style  of  beauty  —  at  any  rate,  Sis  has  her 
same  fondness  for  the  bright,  else  she  would  never 
have  sent  you  that." 

At  this  Joe's  face  lighted  as  to  almost  rival  his 
gift,  as  he  answered,  "  Yes,  it  is  surely  her  color." 

"  Well,  I  say,  Joe,  I  do  not  believe  Ben  is  getting 
anything  better  than  your  moose;  what  say  you?  " 

"  As  to  the  feed  part,  I  cannot  answer ;  but  I'll 
bet  a  gold  guinea  he  is  not  spending  all  his  time 
at  dining,  much  as  he  enjoys  that  —  he  likes  filling 
his  pockets  too  well  with  filthy  lucre,  and  as  he  is 
usually  lucky  at  the  game,  he  has  a  pretty  good 
chance  of  pleasing  himself,"  returned  Joe  between 
his  bites. 

"  Yes,  he  can  and  does  have  things  pretty  much 
his  own  way  —  unless  you  are  sitting  in,"  returned 
Windy.  "  Then,  well  —  I  wonder  why  you  do 
not  make  him  squeal  more  than  you  do  —  How 
about  that?" 

"  Oh,  what's  the  use?  He  is  a  queer  chap,  even 
if  he  is  your  flesh  and  blood  —  Do  you  know,  old 
pal,  somehow  it  does  not  seem  possible  that  he  can 
belong  to  Sis  and  yourself;  surely  the  blood  that 
runs  in  his  veins  must  have  a  mighty  large  amount 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  109 

of  different  fluid  than  that  which  courses  through 
yours,  and  I  for  one  am  precious  glad  that  cousins 
are  not  bound  to  be  alike." 

"  Well,  Joe,  that  is  quite  a  lengthy  speech  for 
you.  So  you  have  a  motive  for  your  behavior  of 
Ben.  I  did  not  know  you  had  taken  such  pains  to 
study  him  as  all  that,"  returned  Windy,  as  he 
watched  Joe  furtively  to  try  and  discern  if  there 
was  a  thought  or  suspicion  of  Ben's  hold  over  him. 

"  Well,  at  any  rate,  if  he  is  sitting  in  a  game 
and  winning  perhaps  this  quiet  neighborhood  may 
lose  its  charm  for  him  and  we  will  be  deprived  of 
his  choice  society,"  continued  Windy,  and  there 
the  matter  dropped,  Anderson  believing  that  aside 
from  the  feeling  of  aversion  that  Joe  had  for  him, 
there  was  no  cause  as  yet  for  him  to  worry  as  to 
any  disclosure  upon  the  part  of  Ben. 

Over  their  cider  and  nuts  the  theme  of  Roma 
again  proved  to  be  the  one  they  enjoyed  the  most, 
and  as  Dr.  Moulton  wished  kindred  spirits  to  meet 
that  day  of  all  others,  surely  it  was  that  love  trav- 
eled many  miles  and  far,  but  reached  its  destiny 
at  last. 

The  rest  of  the  winter  afternoon  was  spent  by 
the  lads  with  their  cob-pipes  and  checkers  and 
many  a  hearty  laugh  rang  through  the  Snuggy 
at  the  victory  of  one  or  other  as  the  games  pro- 
gressed. Finally  Joe,  with  a  slap  upon  Windy's 
knee,  exclaimed,  "  Well,  old  pal,  I  think  the  ponies 
will  wonder  where  their  Christmas  dinner  is  coming 
from  —  I  will  feed  and  bed  them  to-night,  as  you 


110  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

look  so  mighty  comfortable.  It  is  a  sin  to  take 
off  your  new  gift,  so  let  me  be  the  one  hostler  to- 
night,"—  this  as  Windy  started  to  rise  and  pre- 
pared to  accompany  him. 

"  Shucks,"  Windy  returned,  but  a  contented 
smile  stole  over  him  as,  at  Joe's  further  eagerness 
to  have  him  play  the  gentleman,  he  acquiesced. 

As  Joe  opened  the  outer  door  a  gust  of  snow 
greeted  him ;  while  Windy  with  a  loud  laugh  called 
out,  "  Better  let  me  come,  Joe,"  but  the  shutting 
of  the  door  was  his  only  answer,  as  Joe  was  away 
like  a  flash.  Left  to  himself  young  Anderson  drew 
a  chair  to  the  open  grate  where  a  bright  piece  of 
pine  knot  sputtered  and  hissed,  and,  stretching 
himself  at  full  length,  he  prepared  to  enjoy  his 
part  of  the  gentleman. 

His  thoughts  flew  back  to  other  Christmas  even- 
ings when  his  parents  and  little  Sis  had  been  with 
him,  but  now  as  always  since  the  day  when  Ben 
had  breathed  that  story  of  his  father's  dishonesty 
did  Windy  feel  the  blood  fly  to  his  face  and  neck 
at  the  very  thought  of  Sis  ever  learning  the  dis- 
grace which  covered  their  father's  name. 

Suddenly  he  was  roused  by  the  neighing  of  a 
horse,  followed  by  a  gruff  voice,  and  with  a  start 
he  made  for  the  door  in  time  to  see  Ben  tumble 
from  his  stirrups. 

To  the  "Well  — hello!"  from  Windy,  he 
grunted  something  inaudible,  and  taking  the  end 
of  the  bridle,  he  tied  it  to  a  ring  which  hung  from 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  111 

one  of  the  posts  of  the  piazza,  although  it  was  not 
as  speedily  executed  as  was  his  wont. 

It  was  no  unusual  thing  for  the  lads  to  tie  their 
ponies  there  in  the  days  when  the  sun  made  glad 
the  heart  of  man,  but  just  why  Ben  should  be 
doing  such  a  thing  to-night  was  beyond  Windy's 
comprehension.  Still,  it  did  not  take  more  than 
a  glance  to  see  that  Ben  was  carrying  quite  an 
amount  of  supernatural  energy,  and  Windy  felt  it 
far  wiser  not  to  question  him  too  minutely  just 
then. 

Ben  had  several  times  since  Sis's  departure  come 
home  from  his  rovings  in  quite  an  hilarious  mood, 
so  that  Windy  was  not  now  given  his  initial  intro- 
duction of  him  in  such  a  condition. 

In  the  next  instant  Ben  came  stalking  into  the 
66  Snuggy,"  making  anything  but  an  Indian  track 
as  he  did  so,  and  not  even  shaking  the  mass  of 
snow  from  his  great  buckskin  coat,  until  he  stood 
well  within  where  radiated  the  warm  glowing  at- 
mosphere. Then,  stamping  great  streamers  of 
whiteness,  he  exclaimed,  in  a  most  patronizing 
manner,  "I  say,  Coz,  got  anything  to  eat?  if  so, 
trot  it  forth,  for  I  am  damn  hungry." 

Windy  felt  his  blood  quicken  at  Ben's  insolent 
manner,  but  answered  offhand :  "  Yes,  we  had  a 
good  feed  to-day,  and  will  have  another  bite  when 
Joe  comes  in  from  looking  after  the  ponies." 

"  Well,  I  want  mine  now,  as  I  am  going  back 
again  to  join  the  bunch.  I  have  had  the  devil's 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

own  luck,  and  only  came  for  a  little  bag  of  money 
to  go  on  with.  You  may  wait  for  Joe,  but  I 
want  my  grub  now;  now  —  do  you  hear?" — and 
here  the  black  eyes  looked  with  no  very  friendly 
glance  toward  Windy. 

For  a  moment  he  felt  that  perhaps  under  the 
circumstances  it  was  best  to  comply  with  his  cous- 
in's wishes,  although  it  galled  him  to  do  so ;  but  at 
that  moment  Ben,  who  evidently  had  just  espied 
his  new  coat,  exclaimed,  "  Well,  if  it  ain't  playing 
at  being  the  gentleman  —  like  father  like  son  — 
that's  as  the  saying  goes." 

At  this  Windy,  who  had  stood  wondering  which 
was  the  better  way  of  getting  rid  of  his  angelic 
cousin,  took  a  step  toward  him,  while  the  words, 
"  Take  care,  Ben,  what  you  say ;  you  may  think 
you  can  boss  me  and  make  me  a  target  for  all  your 
loose  talk,  but  there  is  a  limit  to  all  things,  and  I 
tell  you  right  now  that  I — " 

"That  you  what?" — and  here  Ben  half 
stepped,  half  staggered  forward  to  meet  Windy 
upon  his  own  grounds.  "  So  ho !  my  young  cousin 
is  very  cocky,  isn't  he?  But  I  wonder  at  your 
sending  your  pretty  sister  away,  or  did  you  think 
it  for  the  best  —  as  Joe  is  rather  of  a  fascinating 
cub  and  as  the  girl  was  a  bit  of  a  beau  — "  But 
the  rest  of  the  remark  was  never  uttered,  for 
Windy,  with  a  quick  leap,  had  brought  his  fist  with 
all  the  strength  of  his  passionate  anger  straight 
between  the  mocking  eyes  of  the  astonished  lad, 
and  before  either  was  fully  aware  of  the  fierceness 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  113 

of  the  blow,  Ben  was  lying  stretched  out  at  full 
length,  a  line  of  blood  making  a  vivid  showing, 
while  his  breath,  which  had  been  partly  sent  from 
his  tottering  body,  was  trying  to  reassert  itself. 

Windy,  too  much  astonished  for  the  moment  as 
to  the  outcome  of  the  insult,  felt  that  perhaps  he 
had  been  a  bit  too  violent,  particularly  as  his 
bawling  relative  was  not  properly  himself;  but  as 
the  insinuation  of  his  remark  returned  with  even 
keener  force,  he  gave  a  violent  kick  at  the  sprawled 
figure  on  the  floor,  exclaiming,  "  Get  up,  you  cur 
—  if  you  can  — " 

At  this  minute  the  door  opened,  letting  in  the 
flakes  of  feathery  snow,  and  also  the  good-natured, 
honest  face  of  Joe.  "  So  ho !  I  knew  we  had  a 
caller  as  the  mare  was  busily  stamping  the  white 
ground  as  I  came  in,  but  I  did  not  expect  to  be  in 
at  the  finish  of  just  such — "  and  here  he  bent  his 
wondering  eyes  from  Windy  to  the  figure  which 
with  considerable  difficulty  was  trying  to  regain 
a  standing  posture. 

Ben  was  now  considerably  more  sobered  than  a 
few  moments  before,  but  it  still  took  a  lift  from 
Joe  before  he  could  hoist  himself,  and  then  not 
without  a  groan,  while  never  a  word  of  retaliation 
did  he  hurl  at  Windy,  who  stood  with  face  a  fit 
subject  for  a  study  as  he  witnessed  the  meekness 
that  had  overspread  the  lout  whom  he  had  silenced. 

As  Ben  started  to  walk,  a  sharp  metallic  "  oh," 
came  from  his  b'ps,  and  voluntarily  both  boys  felt 
that  he  was  really  suffering  keen  pain  —  while  it 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

proved  that  in  falling  he  had  in  some  way  sprained 
his  hand  and  arm,  where  already  the  buzz  and  sting 
was  beginning  to  assert  itself.  But  still  no  word 
of  cursing  as  yet  fell  upon  the  expectant  ears  of 
Windy.  Suddenly,  however,  he  spoke: 

"  You  see,  Joe,  Windy  and  I  were  having  a 
friendly  bout  and  I  sort  of  got  the  worse  part  of 
it.  I  shall  have  to  do  better  in  the  future  —  eh, 
Cousin  ?  —  but  now  I  must  go  and  turn  the  beast 
in  for  the  night.  I  intended  going  back  to  the 
bunch,  but  under  the  circumstances  shall  have  to 
disappoint  them."  Here  he  wiped  the  blood  from 
off  his  suave  face,  still  with  no  apparent  sense  of 
anger  or  resentment  toward  his  assailant. 

"Well,  Ben,  I  think  you  did  get  a  little  the 
slugging  side  of  the  fray,  and  I  think  you  had  bet- 
ter let  me  house  the  mare  for  you,"  exclaimed  Joe, 
as  a  tinge  of  pain  spread  itself  over  Ben's  face 
as  he  tried  to  get  himself  into  his  great  coat  pre- 
paratory to  putting  his  pony  up  for  the  night. 

"  Oh,  no  —  I'll  not  trouble  " —  but  here  a  more 
resolute  twinge  caused  him  to  utter  a  low  curse, 
while  he  added,  "  Well,  Joe,  perhaps  I  shall  have 
to  ask  aid  of  you  this  time,"  to  which  Joe  readily 
complied. 

Would  he  have  done  so  had  he  known  that  he 
had  been  imprecated  in  the  bout? 

As  the  door  closed  upon  Joe's  retreating  figure, 
he  hastened  to  make  more  comfortable  the  intelli- 
gent brute,  who  thanked  him  by  low  whinnies  the 
while  —  he  meantime  carrying  on  quite  a  conversa- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  115 

tion  pro  and  con  by  himself,  with  the  broncho  as 
an  appreciative  listener. 

"  Now  what  under  the  heavens  could  those  two 
have  hit  upon  that  caused  such  a  fracas  as  that? 
It  was  no  light  thing,  I  can  vouch  for,  as  Windy 
is  not  a  Johnny  Bull,  as  a  usual  thing.  But  I 
must  hustle  and  get  back  as  they  may  be  in  for  a 
second  inning,  although  my  friend  Ben  seems  in  a 
very  humble  mood,  and  the  lout  is  evidently  suf- 
fering keen  pain.  Much  as  I  dislike  him,  like  as 
not  I  can  be  of  some  use  to  his  abused  members. 
At  any  rate,  I  am  mighty  sorry  it  happened  to- 
night of  all  others,  for  Windy  has  had  quite  a  bat- 
tle with  himself  all  day.  I  tell  you,  the  feeling  of 
loneliness  is  not  a  feeling  to  crave  —  I  can  answer 
for  that  —  and  I  have  not  had  to  part  with  as 
many  dear  ones  as  my  old  pal ;  then  to  have  to  end 
Christmas  Day  like  this  — " 

Thus  meditating,  Joe  reached  the  door  of  the 
Snuggy.  On  opening  it,  what  was  his  complete 
amazement  to  see  the  two  lads,  the  one  ministering 
to  the  other  as  if  a  third  party  had  been  the  per- 
petrator of  the  deed  that  was  causing  the  now  fully 
sobered  Ben  so  much  unalloyed  suffering. 

The  truth  was,  Windy  felt,  despite  the  justice 
he  had  meted  out  to  his  vindictive  cousin,  that  as 
Ben  had  referred  in  no  way  to  his  gross  insult,  it 
was  possible  for  him  in  his  recent  condition  not 
to  realize  its  grave  import ;  therefore,  he  felt  it  his 
right  that  to-night  —  Christmas  night  —  he  must 
make  amends  —  for  Peace  on  Earth  had  sounded 


116  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

like  a  clarion  call  through  his  perturbed  thoughts 
following  his  intense  anger  and  he  was  now  trying 
to  heed  the  command.  As  for  Ben  —  ah,  who  can 

say? 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

One  year  had  sped  by  on  golden  wings  since 
the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice  had  left  his  home  city 
among  the  flowers  and  passed  through  the  region 
of  glacier  and  cataract.  Some  months  after  his 
return  he  had  again  been  brought  face  to  face  with 
the  subject  Elanore  Moulton  had  spoken  of  — 
the  Snuggy.  This  was  as  he  perused  a  letter 
from  his  half-sister,  Mrs.  Raynor,  in  which  among 
many  bits  of  news  she  had  referred  to  a  homestead 
in  the  mountains  which  she  together  with  a  charm- 
ing lady  doctor  from  Philadelphia  had  visited  while 
upon  one  of  her  various  trips.  The  epistle  had 
added  that  she  also  had  met  a  lass  —  a  charming 
child  of  nature  —  while  there,  who  was  wearing  as 
a  talisman  his  signet  ring,  and  that  it  would  have 
taken  all  the  callousness  of  a  lawyer's  heart  to 
demand  the  bauble  from  the  eager,  palpitating  lit- 
tle creature,  who  had  found  it  as  it  beckoned  her 
to  its  secluded  brightness. 

Following,  the  details  had  been  expatiated  on 
until  Allyn  Prentice  felt  that  he  could  see  the  trail 
with  its  tall,  aromatic  pines,  the  little  brown 
hands,  and  the  initials  —  his  initials,  A.  E.  P. — 
flashing  back  at  him  in  the  sheltered  sunlight. 

"  Poor  little  thing ;  I  am  glad  that  Amelia  did 
117 


118  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

not  request  it.  It  was  generous  of  her  to  feign 
ignorance  of  the  whole  affair.  But  here,  I  am 
sentimentalizing  —  how  Elanore  Moulton  would 
smile  —  and  by  Jove  it  is  —  yes,  surely  the  same 
anecdote  she  started  to  relate  to  me  and  to  which 
she  referred  as  she  bade  me  good  luck  at  parting. 
Odd  —  that  she  and  my  sister  should  meet  in  this 
out-of-the-way  region ;  the  world  is  small  after  all. 
But  I  shall  now  have  to  drop  a  line  and  inform  her 
that  I  have  at  least  partially  made  the  acquaint- 
ance of  her  maid  of  the  '  Snuggy.'  But  this  is 
not  the  place  for  me,  for  I  gave  Nina  my  word  that 
I  would  drop  in  early  at  the  reception  she  is  giv- 
ing to-night,  and  at  this  rate  it  will  be  anything 
but  early  before  I  don  my  togs,  consequently  my 
lady  will  be  deeply  offended  —  and  that  is  a  situa- 
tion wholly  undesirable.  Well,  at  least  she  has 
received  my  orchids  ere  this  —  here's  to  hoping 
that  will  appease  her  for  my  delinquency." 

At  a  considerably  later  hour  the  fragrance  of 
flowers,  the  radiance  from  eyes  as  well  as  gems, 
the  murmuring  of  many  voices,  and  lastly  the  scin- 
tillating gleam  from  the  blue  orbs  of  the  gloriously 
beautiful  woman  at  whose  side  Allyn  Prentice 
finally  found  himself,  there  waiting  in  expectancy 
the  reprimand  which  had  flashed  forth  at  him  even 
while  she  held  her  little  court  of  admirers  —  each 
vying  with  the  other  for  her  favor.  A  few  mo- 
ments elapsed,  then  the  soft,  purring,  undulating 
voice  of  Nina  Wentworth  addressed  the  Hon.  Mr. 
Prentice. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  119 

"  You  will  really  have  to  pardon  me  but  I  have 
just  promised  to  show  Mr.  Hendrick  my  Turkish 
room ;  so  sorry  but  — " 

"  Oh,  do  not  delay  upon  my  account ;  the  apart- 
ment is  well  worth  seeing,  particulary  when  its 
beauties  are  disclosed  by  such  a  charming  guide," 
returned  the  late  comer.  "  I  quite  envy  Mr.  Hen- 
drick." 

Here  a  rather  tantalizing  smile  crept  to  the  blue 
orbs  where  still  the  steely  glint  remained.  Nina 
Wentworth  no  longer  posed  as  a  girl.  She  had 
passed  the  boundary  line,  but  she  did  not  regret 
it,  for  the  fuller,  more  seductive  beauty  had  germi- 
nated until  she  felt  that  she  had  but  to  wish  — 
then  conquer.  This  had  really  been  the  ultimatum 
of  ah1  her  efforts  until  the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice 
had  come  before  her  vision.  At  first  she  had  paid 
little  or  no  attention  to  him  beyond  the  certainty 
of  gratifying  herself  that  her  beauty  had  been  rec- 
ognized by  him,  but  as  time  advanced  and  no  ado- 
ration was  forthcoming  she  was  not  only  piqued 
but  determined  when  she  learned  that  the  honored 
criminal  lawyer  really  had  no  great  love  for  women 
and  that  he  rather  made  his  boast  that  no  woman 
could  bid  him  go  and  come  at  her  beck,  that  she 
would  make  him  retract  his  words.  But  as  yet 
she  had  to  admit  to  herself  she  had  made  very 
slight  progress,  although  they  had  been  acquainted 
now  many  months  and  thrown  into  each  other's 
society  a  good  bit.  That  he  admired  her  soft 
beauty,  her  clinging  dependency,  her  exquisiteness, 


120  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

she  intuitively  felt,  but  what  she  had  expected, 
what  her  beauty  demanded,  had  been  withheld; 
namely,  his  adoration,  for  it  was  a  new  experience 
for  her  to  find  in  her  gentleman  admirers  one  who 
did  not  readily  succumb  to  her  charms.  To  Allyn 
Prentice  this  was  plainly  apparent;  still  he  never 
for  a  moment  allowed  her  to  guess  that  he  was  con- 
scious of  the  chagrin  he  caused  her.  To-night  it 
had  flashed,  more  than  its  wont,  from  the  forget- 
me-not  blue  of  her  eyes ;  still  he  would  not  see. 

The  facts  were  just  these:  The  Hon.  Allyn 
Prentice  had  made  his  vocation  his  chum,  his  friend, 
and  his  sweetheart.  He  had  let  nothing  come  be- 
tween, since  the  one  had  been  the  all  sufficient. 
And  now,  even  as  his  career  was  assured,  the  long- 
pent  activity  of  his  keen  mind  was  stimulated  with 
the  same  spirit  of  ambition,  leaving  no  room  for 
the  frivolity  of  sentimentality.  Marriage  to  him 
was  a  sort  of  existence  that  seemed  like  far-off 
music  —  soothing,  charming,  all  that  it  should  be 
—  but  there  he  meant  to  leave  it. 

And  now  before  the  last  gleam  of  the  violet  crepe 
which  gracefully  enveloped  the  subtle  figure  of  his 
hostess  had  fully  passed  from  his  vision,  Allyn 
Prentice  had  sauntered  toward  the  smoking-room, 
utterly  oblivious  of  the  looks  of  secret  amazement 
upon  the  faces  of  more  than  one  in  the  little  group 
that  had  witnessed  the  offhand  manner  of  the  fas- 
cinating Nina  Wentworth  and  her  tardy  guest. 

Once  inside  the  room  where  the  soft  haze  envel- 
oped the  figures  clad  in  their  habitual  attire,  Pren- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

tice  soon  found  his  real  self  in  arguing  the  affirma- 
tive and  negative  sides  of  a  case  then  pending ;  and 
not  until  the  period  for  retirement  did  he  again 
seek  his  hostess. 

"  You  see,  Nina,  you  can  scarcely  depend  on  me 
as  a  social  success,  but  as  you  are  so  nicely  sup- 
plied with  the  beaux  of  the  year  I  am  sure  you  will 
not  reprimand  me;  beside,  if  you  could  believe  the 
interest  in  which  I  learned  of  a  mountain  lass  in  a 
letter  I  received  to-night  from  my  half-sister,  when 
about  to  join  you,  I  am  sure  you  would  not  have 
had  the  heart  to  deprive  me.  And  now  I  will  say 
bon  nmt  —  but  will  make  amends,  if  you  say,  by  a 
canter  to-morrow." 

"  Very  good,  my  right  Honorable ;  we  surely  are 
kindred  spirits  when  a  gallop  is  the  theme,  so  will 
be  ready  at  four,  and  will  keep  my  appointment 
—  whether  I  receive  any  epistle  teeming  with  inter- 
esting personality  or  not." 

A  gay  smile  accompanied  her  words,  but  a 
deeper  flush  than  usual  on  her  cheeks  might  have 
foretold  that  more  than  a  promise  for  the  morrow 
had  caused  the  carmine.  Nina  Wentworth  had 
controlled  a  sense  of  irritableness  the  whole  even- 
ing, and  only  when  Allyn  Prentice  had  come  to  bid 
her  good  night  had  she  allowed  a  sense  of  real 
pleasure  to  conquer  her ;  but  even  this  brief  period 
was  denied  her,  for  the  relating  of  an  unseen,  un- 
known mountain  girl  had  come  between  them. 
Then  real  anger  took  possession  of  her  senses  and 
it  was  with  difficulty  she  withheld  a  retort  —  lay- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

ing  bare  her  heart  to  him.  She  had  never  felt  quite 
the  same  sensation  regarding  him  before.  It  was 
true  she  had  been  piqued,  disappointed,  chagrined, 
but  never  really  jealous,  for  the  Hon.  Allyn  Pren- 
tice was  no  society  Romeo.  And  now,  foolish  as 
she  felt  her  thoughts  to  be,  she  could  not  account 
for  them,  and  with  a  deep  flush  she  strove  to  sub- 
due her  piqued  mentality,  bidding  him  bon  nmt. 

Leaving  the  sumptuousness  of  the  Wentworth 
residence,  Allyn  Prentice  stepped  out  in  the  full 
beauty  of  an  October  night  in  the  flower-bedecked 
land  of  his  California  home.  The  perfume  from 
great  bushes  of  purple  heliotrope  was  wafted  to  his 
senses  as  he  turned  to  retrace  his  way  to  his  own 
apartments.  Walking  and  riding  were  favorite 
pastimes  with  the  Honorable,  and  now  lighting  a 
cigar  he  bade  fair  to  enjoy  to  the  utmost  the  soft- 
bewitching  beauty  of  the  night.  As  he  gazed  into 
the  dome  of  heaven  and  felt  the  companionship  of 
the  jeweled  lights,  one  most  brilliant  seemed  to  hold 
his  gaze,  while  a  light  laugh —  half-sarcastic, 
half-mirthful  —  fell  from  his  lips,  for  it  seemed 
like  a  signet  of  gold  from  which  streamed  forth 
radiant  points  ending  with  the  initials  A.  E.  P. 
Now  again,  in  fancy,  he  saw  a  slim,  girlish  hand, 
with  a  band  of  burnished  gold  gleaming  thereon. 
Perhaps  she,  too,  was  gazing  at  the  "  meadows  of 
heaven " —  if  so,  they  would  gleam  forth  even 
more  brightness  upon  her,  for  in  the  icy  breath 
which  fell  from  the  stately  glaciers  the  jewels  in 
God's  firmament  looked  down  and  approved. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

The  snowy  mantle  of  winter  had  again  lent  itself 
to  Mother  Earth,  covering  the  beds  of  sleeping 
tulips  and  crocuses  which  ere  long  would  assert 
themselves  and  woo  the  robin  redbreast  to  his  old- 
time  haunt  again.  A  second  Yuletide  had  come 
and  gone,  and  Roma  had  again  sent  a  festive  box 
to  the  mountain  lads.  She  had  spent  the  respite 
from  study  with  a  school  friend,  some  little  jour- 
ney from  Dr.  Moulton's  endeared  shelter,  but  had 
first  seen  to  sending  loving  tributes  to  her  boys  as 
well  as  the  inmates  of  her  benefactress'  home.  She 
was  now  studying  with  much  diligence  and  was  be- 
ginning to  feel  a  sense  of  real  pleasure  at  the  re- 
turns, particularly  with  her  pencil  and  brush. 
Then,  again,  she  was  much  more  like  the  world  of 
Dr.  Moulton's  —  she  had  heard  music,  music  that 
had  brought  the  sobs  from  her  heart  to  her  lips, 
there  to  battle  with,  else  they  had  escaped  her  — 
music  which  made  her  long  for  the  boyish  cheek  of 
Broth  to  press  to  her  own.  She  had  seen  pictures 
that  caught  the  sunbeams  as  they  danced  upon  the 
waves  —  until  it  seemed  that  little  crafts  had  been 
loosened  to  carry  cheer  the  whole  world  over.  She 
had  read  of  the  land  of  the  jessamine,  the  gardenia, 

and  the  camille,  until  the  richness  of  the  perfume 

123 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

seemed  a  possession  of  her  own.  Friendship  true 
and  fasting  also  had  she  found  in  her  dear  one, 
Elanore  Moulton.  Then  what  wonder  that  her 
pencil  formed  ideals  and  that  her  brush  completed 
the  problem,  working  out  creations  of  love,  grati- 
tude and  beauty  on  the  canvas ! 

And  now  the  crowning  bit  of  joy  was  to  be  con- 
summated, for  she  had  received  a  letter  some  few 
days  back  from  Broth,  telling  of  his  intention  of 
paying  his  respects  to  Doc  and  herself  in  a  few 
weeks.  Joe  had  agreed  to  look  after  the  ponies 
and  as  the  ice  crop  had  already  been  nearly  gath- 
ered, Windy  wrote  he  felt  like  a  holiday  for  himself. 

"  You  see,  Sis,"  he  had  added,  "  a  glimpse  of 
you  is  particularly  needed  for  my  constitution. 
Then  a  fellow  needs  a  bit  of  life  now  and  again ;  so 
you  will  see  me,  sombrero  and  all,  in  an  agreeably 
short  time." 

To  be  candid,  it  was  hard  to  decide  which  was 
the  more  anxious  that  Broth's  visit  should  be  a 
success,  Roma  or  Dr.  Moulton,  but  between  the  two 
a  gala  time  was  assured. 

"  And  so  this  is  my  Sis,"  exclaimed  Windy's 
sonorous  voice,  as  he  picked  up  the  graceful  lithe 
figure  of  the  girl  as  they  entered  the  presence  of 
the  one  both  adored.  "  Why,  Doc,  you  are  a  fairy 
godmother.  I  always  felt  that  you  were,  and  now 
facts  prove  it," —  here  he  lovingly  lowered  the  fig- 
ure of  his  Sis,  to  grasp  the  hands  of  Elanore  Moul- 
ton, while  a  kiss  almost  with  reverence  saluted  her 
cheek.  "  Mrs.  Moulton,  I  am  highly  pleased,"  he 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  125 

rolled  forth  to  that  lady's  secret  amusement. 
"  Now,  I  say,  you  both  look  good  to  me  —  but  only 
for  Sis's  scarlet  badge  " —  here  with  an  admiring 
look  at  her  throat  and  waist  — "  could  I  really 
believe  it  was  Sis.  But  I  am  more  than  glad  you 
still  love  it,  girlie,  for  Joe  and  I  somehow  always 
see  you  that  way,  and  many  times  as  the  leaves 
sped  past  our  faces,  blown  by  the  north  wind  of 
the  past  autumn,  the  scarlet  ones  would  almost 
make  us  pause  as  if  a  caress  —  a  greeting  —  had 
come  from  our  Sis  Roma." 

A  little  suppressed  chuckle  at  this  moment 
caused  all  to  turn,  to  find  Betsy  with  eyes  wide, 
showing  marked  approval  at  the  words  and  ap- 
pearance of  the  new-comer. 

"  Ah  —  Betsy,  this  is  my  Broth  —  you  have 
heard  me  speak  of  so  often." 

"  Well,  I  am  blessed,  Miss  Betsy,  if  I  am  not 
glad  to  shake  you  by  the  hand,  for  I  also  have 
heard  of  you  —  and  what  a  good  soul  you  were," 
and  here  Windy  crossed  to  where  the  now  broadly 
smiling  Betsy  stood,  while  a  mutual  handshaking 
ensued. 

"  As  to  Miss  Roma's  bit  of  firelight,"  exclaimed 
the  now  thoroughly  acquainted  Betsy,  "  well  may 
you  believe  we  should  all  miss  it,  for  it  is  a  part 
of  her  and  if  it  just  should  fade  — " 

"  But  it  never  will,  rest  assured  of  that,"  here 
laughingly  supplied  Roma. 

How  they  enjoyed  Windy  —  every  one.  He 
was  one  of  the  lads  every  one  could  enjoy;  frank, 


126  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

cheery  and  thoughtful,  apparently  most  tactful; 
although,  in  reality,  far  from  it,  for  his  geniality 
sprang  from  an  honest,  boyish  heart.  One  of  the 
most  enjoyable  days,  at  least  to  Sis,  was  the  out- 
come of  a  suggestion  from  Dr.  Moulton  that  the 
brother  and  sister  have  a  gallop.  Roma  had  not 
ridden  for  some  little  time  now,  although  she  had 
kept  it  up  at  intervals  at  her  benefactress'  wish. 
Elanore  Moulton  had  even  expressed  a  wish  that 
Roma  should  wear  her  sombrero  and  leather  jacket, 
which  were  most  readily  donned,  for  Roma's  will 
was  but  her  dear  friend's  wish.  Such  a  ride  as 
they  had  —  sort  of  civilized-like  for  a  time  —  but 
when  the  outskirts  were  reached  then  sometimes 
side  by  side,  their  horses  neck  to  neck,  then  a 
plunge,  a  sprint  and  a  ringing  laugh  would  float 
back  upon  the  frosty  air  to  the  one  taken  unaware. 
Then  again,  as  the  steaming  flanks  of  their  crea- 
tures rose  and  fell  less  rapidly,  they  spoke  of  the 
Snuggy,  of  Joe,  and  the  ponies  —  Roma  listening 
very  quietly  as  Broth  spoke  of  her  own  Gypsy. 
Of  Ben  very  little  was  said,  Windy  never  in  any 
way  baring  his  heart  of  the  unrest,  the  dread,  the 
almost  hatred,  which  had  been  creeping  over  him 
by  the  daily  intercourse  with  the  irritable  cousin. 
Then  Roma,  with  face  glowing  and  eyes  beaming, 
would  sing  praises  of  their  doctor,  and  of  her  love 
for  her  art,  adding,  "  And  when  I  come  back  home 
to  my  mountains  I  shall  paint  something  that 
shall," —  here  a  moment's  hesitancy  as  she 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  127 

thoughtfully  added  — "  shall  express  my  grati- 
tude. 

"  You  know,  Proth,  I  shall  go  up  the  trail  next 
summer.  Oh,  it  will  be  good  to  see  the  purple 
lights  play  hide-and-seek  up,  down,  and  over  my 
mountains,  and  then  to  feel  and  hear  the  wind 
through  the  pines.  I  am  a  little  disappointed, 
for  I  hoped  our  dear  doctor  would  come  home  with 
me,  but  she  and  Mrs.  Moulton  are  planning  on  a 
European  trip  for  the  summer,  so  our  having  her 
with  us  must  come  some  time  later." 

"  I,  too,  am  very  sorry  Doc  cannot  come,  for  I 
would  promise  to  have  an  equestrian  figure  second 
to  none  in  her  home  city  could  I  have  her  under 
my  training  for  a  few  weeks.  How  she  laughed 
when  I  coaxed  her  to  accompany  us  to-day  for  a 
gallop. 

"  '  Ah,  Windy,  you  are  incorrigible/  she  said ; 
'  but  I  shall  do  so  sometime  and  do  you  credit  as 
well.'  " 

As  the  days  passed,  each  one  filled  with  sur- 
prises and  entertainment  for  the  lad,  his  very  ex- 
pression changed,  not  so  much  from  the  excitement 
of  the  whole  affair  but  from  the  freedom  of  exist- 
ence from  the  same  habitation  with  a  nature  so  an- 
tagonistic to  his  own,  until  one  day  Dr.  Moulton 
remarked  to  him,  as  they  were  walking  home  from 
a  social  call  they  had  made  together :  "  Do  you 
know,  Windy,  the  first  few  days  of  your  coming 
to  us  I  almost  fancied  you  were  in  some  sort  of 


128  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

trouble.  You  had  a  kind  of  haunted  expression 
to  your  eyes,  as  if  you  were  in  terror  of  something 
or  some  one ;  but  of  late  it  has  disappeared.  Tell 
me,  Windy,  did  I  read  it  aright?  You  may  trust 
me,  you  know  that." 

"  Yes,  my  kind  friend,  I  do  know  that  I  can,  and 
if  you  saw  my  troubled  look  it  will  make  it  but  the 
easier  for  me  to  speak.  But,  Doc,  you  do  not 
think  Sis  read  me  as  you  did?  —  I  could  not  bear 
that  she  should  dream  of  my  extreme  aversion  to 
our  cousin;  but,  Doc,  it  seems  sometimes  as  if  I 
could  not  stay  where  he  is  another  day  —  no,  or 
hour."  And  then  followed  some  little  detail  of  the 
life  Ben  had  led,  of  his  intemperance,  his  gambling, 
but  never  a  word  of  the  "  sword  "  he  held  over 
and  about  the  Snuggy. 

"  If  it  were  not  for  Joe  and  the  sake  of  keeping 
up  our  homestead,  I  would  leave  my  kin  there  mas- 
ter of  all  he  surveyed."  Here  Windy  paused, 
while  again  there  crept  into  the  boyish  face  a  look 
which  added  years  to  it. 

"  Yes,  but  why  should  you  allow  such  a  person 
to  remain.  I,  for  one,  would  not  suffer  at  his  ex- 
pense." 

"Ah!  but,  Doc,  that  is  just  it.  You  do  not 
know  as  I  have  learned  to  —  then  again,  he  is  our 
kindred  —  and  you  know  blood  is  stronger  than 
—  well,  we  will  say  animosity.  But  I  wish  to 
heaven  he  was  anything  but  a  kin  of  mine.  He 
goes  at  a  pretty  lively  pace  sometimes  and  my  one 
hope  is  that  it  may  need  a  livelier  place  for  him  to 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  129 

circle  in  before  long  —  that  will  indeed  bring  joy- 
ful respite.  At  any  rate,  now  Sis  is  so  happy,  it 
almost  makes  me  so  too,  and  I  pray  she  may  always 
remain  so." 

"Yes,  Windy,  we  do  indeed  ask  just  that;  and 
now,  my  lad,  keep  your  courage  and  good  will  ever 
before  you,  and  for  you  it  must  avail;  but  if  at 
any  time  I  can  assist  you  in  any  way,  do  not  forget 
I  am  ready." 

"  Doc,  you  are  one  in  a  million,  yes  trillion," 
gratefully  returned  young  Anderson,  but  deep  in 
his  heart  he  felt  guilty,  for  he  well  knew  that  fear 
and  the  awful  dread  of  disgrace  to  his  dear  Sis 
as  well  as  himself  kept  the  apparently  Christian- 
like  fortitude  ever  before  him  instead  of  pure,  sim- 
ple good  will. 

The  last  few  days  of  his  stay  were  indeed  busy 
ones;  the  theater,  the  stores,  and,  in  fact,  many 
points  of  interest  were  shown  the  lad,  who  enjoyed 
it  hugely,  almost  wishing  he  were  never  to  leave 
the  fascinating  city  where  two  whom  he  cared  so 
much  for  resided.  But  the  last  day  came,  and 
after  profuse  thanks  to  Mrs.  Moulton  and  a  goodly 
amount  of  banter  with  Betsy,  Windy,  accom- 
panied by  Dr.  Moulton  and  Roma,  who  had  sent 
many  kind  messages  to  Joe,  together  with  tributes, 
made  their  way  to  the  same  station  where  nearly 
two  years  before  the  little  mountain  girl  had  looked 
with  such  longing  eyes  for  a  glimpse  of  the  one 
who  had  now  given  the  Broth  such  a  delightful  so- 
journ, and  who  now  waved  him  a  farewell  as  long 


ISO  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

as  she  could  see  the  boyish  figure;  Roma  had 
turned  weeping  away,  although  not  until  Windy 
was  too  far  distant  to  feel  a  united  grief  at  the 
knowledge. 


CHAPTER  XX 

Windy's  visit  had  indeed  marked  an  era  in  more 
than  one  way ;  for  his  beloved  Sis  —  her  warm  lov- 
ing heart  had  been  nourished  by  the  fellowship  of 
him.  To  be  sure,  Roma  loved  Elanore  Moulton 
with  a  deep  affection,  but  her  brother  was  so  near, 
so  dear,  and  she  had  so  longed  many  times  for  his 
dear  comradeship;  and  now  as  she  strove  day 
by  day  to  master  an  art,  it  seemed  as  if  some  hand 
so  freighted  with  love  guided  hers  that  the  task 
was  unconsciously  accomplished.  Mrs.  Moulton 
had  a  very  dear  friend  who  had  been  a  celebrated 
portrait  artist  in  his  prime,  and  now  as  an  old 
gentleman  he  still  loved  to  take  to  his  brush,  but 
only  as  a  pastime.  Roma  had  found  him  such  a 
help,  for  at  a  glance  he  would  suggest  to  her  a 
point  here  and  there  that  would  change  the  whole 
tenor  of  her  canvas  and  bring  out  more  what  she 
wished  to  convey  than  many  an  hour  spent  by 
herself  could  have  accomplished.  Then,  together 
they  talked  of  many  a  face,  taking  the  beautiful  in 
feature,  the  soulful,  or  gay  in  expression,  until 
Roma  had  begun  to  feel  the  force  of  the  masterful 
through  his  talk  and  friendly  instruction. 

One  day  as  she  sat  before  her  easel,  half  dream- 
131 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

ing,  half  wondering  what  she  would  attempt,  as  it 
was  to  be  a  voluntary  lesson,  she  found  her  outline 
emerge  into  the  contour  of  her  frank-faced,  boyish 
brother.  With  a  half  sob,  half  laugh,  she  paused, 
then  progressed,  until  with  the  finishing  of  the  por- 
trait a  few  weeks  later  her  brother,  alive,  was  re- 
vealed before  her. 

Roma  had  kept  it  a  profound  secret  from  one 
and  all,  not  even  her  teacher  being  made  cognizant 
from  whom  the  portrait  was  taken.  It  was  a  part 
of  the  school  program  that  each  pupil  should  ex- 
hibit at  the  close  of  the  year  some  of  her  work, 
whether  of  art,  music,  or  the  drama,  and  Roma  had 
decided  to  surprise  both  Dr.  Moulton  and  her  aged 
friend  and  artist,  who  had  been  the  incentive  of 
her  success.  As  the  very  brother  —  a  living, 
breathing  brother  —  stood  revealed,  she  felt  that 
she  might  be  allowed  to  pronounce  it  a  success  — 
still  she  was  waiting  in  a  fervor  for  the  criticism 
of  her  friends ;  and  it  came. 

Windy  had  met  the  fine  old  man,  so  that  now 
when  the  artist  again  gazed  into  the  boyish  eyes 
which  caught  and  held  his  own  in  such  a  frank 
challenge,  he  felt  that  indeed  he  had  again  met  in 
the  flesh  a  friend;  while  the  flush  that  settled  and 
remained  upon  her  benefactress'  face,  together  with 
the  low  spoken,  "  Oh,  Roma,"  and  the  words, 
"  Yes,  little  lady,  you  and  I  will  yet  have  more 
of  our  heart-to-heart  talks,  if  from  their  outcome 
such  life  as  this  can  be  produced,"  was  tribute 
enough  to  the  anxiously  waiting  artist. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  133 

And  now  the  month  of  roses  was  sending  pun- 
gent odors  over  the  land,  while  the  bee  vied  with 
the  humming-bird  in  secreting  the  sweetest  of  the 
sweets.  Roma,  however,  as  bright  and  as  early 
as  her  busy  friends,  was  in  the  garden  where  the 
dew  glittered  and  flashed  upon  the  petals  of  crim- 
son, amber,  and  pink,  like  precious  gems  upon  my 
lady's  corsage,  for  it  was  the  day  that  would  take 
Mrs.  Moulton  and  her  dear  doctor  to  the  ship 
that  would  bear  them  across  the  sea  for  a  summer's 
sojourn.  Roma  had  arisen  early  that  the  most 
fragrant  of  the  roses  should  breathe  their  aroma 
for  the  dear  ones  who  loved  their  perfume  so  well. 
And  now,  with  basket  filled  to  overflowing  with  the 
luscious  blooms,  she  made  her  way  back,  meeting 
Betsy  as  she  neared  the  house.  Betsy  held  up 
her  hands,  while  her  eyes  devoured  both  girl  and 
roses  as  one,  while  the  words,  "  Oh,  Miss  Roma, 
I'd  like  your  picture;  I  think  it  would  please  the 
doctor  'long  her  excursion  of  the  summer  more 
even  than  her  joy  at  the  sight  of  the  morning 
roses.  Lor',  but  we  will  miss  them  sure  enough ; 
but  I  am  mighty  glad  you  are  going  to  stay  here 
—  leastwise  most  of  the  summer." 

"  Yes,  Betsy,  I  shall  remain  here,  as  I  wish  to 
finish  my  last  year,  and  Dr.  Moulton  has  promised, 
when  she  returns,  to  accompany  me  to  my  moun- 
tain home  for  a  short  holiday  before  beginning 
school  again,  if  I  will  remain  here  while  she  is 
away.  So,  Betsy,  you  will  have  to  toe  the  mark 
if  I  am  to  superintend." 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

"  That  I  will,  Miss  Roma ;  but  I'll  manage 
that." 

At  breakfast  the  dewy  roses  breathed  a  benedic- 
tion, and  later,  when  the  great  ship  left  her  moor- 
ings, the  fragrance  of  them  brought  a  loved  face 
before  the  vision  of  the  two  ladies,  who  stood 
with  blossoms  of  crimson  and  white  clasped  in  their 
hands  as  they  looked  at  the  throng  of  beings  who 
watched  loved  ones  depart  from  their  native  land. 
They  had  bade  Roma  a  tender  good-by  many 
miles  from  the  scene  of  the  present  bustle,  and 
when  the  moment  really  came  for  the  separation, 
both  Roma  and  Elanore  Moulton  realized  that  the 
parting  from  real  friends  was  keen  indeed. 

Dr.  Moulton  was  very  desirous  of  studying  in 
some  of  the  hospitals  of  the  older  world,  and  had 
finally  prevailed  upon  her  mother  to  accompany 
her.  Some  few  weeks  before  she  had  received  a 
letter  from  Allyn  Prentice  in  which  he  had  dwelt 
in  quite  a  lengthy  paragraph  of  "A  Snuggy." 

..."  The  same  one  I  now  realize  that  you 
tried  to  interest  me  in  and  which,  if  you  can  believe 
it,  I  have  found  my  mind  wandering  to  now  and 
again  since  I  learned  from  my  sister  and  your 
traveling  companion  of  the  mountain  trip  and  of 
the  charming  child  of  nature  you  found  there. 
It  may  mean  that  I  shall  some  day  take  the  trail 
up,  up  to  the  Snuggy,  just  to  see  with  my  own 
eyes  the  inmates  of  such  a  remarkable  home." 

He  had  made  no  mention  of  the  shining  band 
—  possibly  Mrs.  Raynor  had  not  related  the  inci- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  135 

dent  to  him,  and,  if  she  had,  he  evidently  consid- 
ered it  too  trivial  or  childish  an  episode  to  men- 
tion. How  surprised  he  would  be  to  learn  that 
the  child  of  nature,  as  he  had  called  Roma,  had 
developed  into  a  quite  conventional  city  girl. 

Mrs.  Raynor  had  only  lately  learned  of  Roma's 
present  abode  as  she  and  Mr.  Raynor  had  been 
traveling  extensively  and  had  not  kept  in  touch 
of  late  with  Dr.  Moulton,  and  only  within  a  few 
days  before  sailing  had  Elanore  Moulton  carried 
out  her  idea  of  sending  a  photograph  of  Roma  to 
the  famous  lawyer.  She  had  asked  the  girl  if  she 
were  willing  it  should  be  forwarded  to  a  friend 
of  hers  who  lived  in  the  land  of  flowers,  and  upon 
Roma's  acquiescence  she  had  asked  her  to  choose 
the  one  she  liked  best  from  several  positions  that 
had  been  taken  of  her.  Strangely  enough,  she  had 
selected  the  one  that  showed  herself  garbed  in  the 
costume  of  the  mountain  lass :  in  homespun  dress, 
the  half-fitting  blouse  with  throat  bared,  the 
strong  but  well  molded  hands  and  arms  showing 
to  best  advantage,  the  soft  hat,  half  disclosing, 
half  revealing,  the  wealth  of  silky  hair,  which,  with 
all  the  figure  so  lithe,  the  expression  so  trustful, 
completed  a  photograph  of  unusual  detail. 

Dr.  Moulton  had  half  hoped,  half  expected, 
Roma  would  choose  this  very  one,  as  she  had  heard 
her  remark,  several  times  when  speaking  of  the 
photographs  that  "  the  other  styles  taken  in  the 
more  conventional  dress  were  not  as  yet  real,  for 
she  had  not  arrived  at  the  state  of  just  what  they 


136  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

would  lead  one  to  imagine  of  her;  while,  as  to  the 
other,  she  knew  she  had  been  true  to  herself  as  she 
had  then  been  as," —  Dr.  Moulton  had  added  — 
"  a  child  of  nature." 

66  And  now,  Roma,  will  you  sign  that  nom  de 
plume  under  your  pictured  self  for  me?  " 

Thus  it  was  that  Roma,  the  mountain  lass,  was 
sent  to  the  land  of  perfume  and  flowers,  there  to 
hold  sway  in  a  semi-conscious  state  over  a  clever 
man's  heart. 

Allyn  Prentice  was  a  very  busy  man ;  it  seemed 
many  nights  as  he  let  himself  into  his  luxurious 
apartment  that  he  should  simply  have  to  take  a 
short  holiday,  for  he  admitted  to  himself  that  in 
truth  he  was  feeling  fagged.  He  had  been  work- 
ing upon  several  very  bothersome  cases  and  they 
had  in  a  way  gotten  on  his  nerves.  One  night  he 
had  returned,  feeling  more  ill  at  ease  than  usual, 
to  find  a  packet  marked  "  Open  with  Care,"  placed 
upon  his  desk. 

"  Hello,  what  friend  from  the  East  has  lost  a 
thought  upon  me?  I  believe  it  is  my  old  chum's 
sister's  chirography  —  and,  yes  —  well,  it  was 
marked  open  with  care,  for  to  mar — "  and  here 
the  stern  criminal  lawyer's  face  positively  beamed 
as  he  simply  devoured  the  pictured  girl  before  him. 

"  So  ho !  this  is  my  little  friend  of  the  mountain, 
the  trail,  and  the  Snuggy !  Jolly,  and  if  she  has 
not  on  the  talisman  —  our  talisman  —  veritably 
she  is  well  named,  a  child  of  nature,  and  still," — 
here  he  looked  long  at  the  well-molded  features,  the 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  137 

clear  gaze  of  the  girlish  face, — "  you  are  like  what 
I  pictured,  and  yet  —  even  as  you  are  a  child,  still 
close  following  is  the  woman,  with  your  thoughtful 
brow.  But  how  did  Dr.  Moulton  come  by  such  a 
well-taken  photograph  way  up  in  the  wilds?  She 
must  have  taken  the  child  to  a  near-by  —  but  no, 
that  could  not  be.  It  was  likely  developed  and 
enlarged  from  some  kodak  picture.  At  any  rate, 
it  is  to  be  a  little  mascot  for  me,  and  it  shall  have 
the  finest  frame  I  can  find  for  it  to-morrow.  To 
think  that  we  should  both  have  worn  that  signet 
A.  E.  P. !  " 

Thus  saying,  the  celebrated  Honorable,  who  had 
entered  his  library  earlier  in  the  evening  a  tired, 
bored  man,  now  actually  exhibited  marked  spright- 
liness  in  his  step  as  he  crossed  to  the  mantel  where 
stood  a  bouquet  of  cape  jessamine,  and  there  stood 
his  new  trophy  by  the  side  of  the  beautiful  white 
blossoms,  again  promising  that  only  for  to-night 
should  it  remain  without  a  sheltered  place  to  re- 
sort to,  while,  as  he  turned  to  his  desk  to  resume 
studying,  the  eyes  of  the  girl  seem  to  follow  him, 
as  if  to  say,  "  Yes,  I  have  come  all  the  way  from 
my  mountains  to  your  land  of  flowers." 


CHAPTER  XXI 

Busy  days  followed  upon  Windy's  return.  The 
chalet  was  rapidly  filling  with  tourists,  and  both 
Joe  and  himself  had  plenty  of  employment  guiding 
parties  up  the  trails.  The  ponies  were  free,  and 
seemed  to  enjoy  the  excitement  of  coming  as  near 
as  it  seemed  expedient  to  the  side  of  the  mountain- 
ous pass,  sometimes  to  the  worriment  of  the  eques- 
trians until  reassured  by  the  guide,  nor  could  any 
question  the  mind  of  the  Supreme  One  who  guided 
the  feet  of  the  little  creatures  and  gave  them  the 
keenest  instinct  and  intuition.  Windy  returned 
with  a  great  deal  of  enthusiasm  relative  to  city 
life,  and  many  a  picture  he  drew  for  the  delecta- 
tion of  Joe.  Ben  also  seemed  unusually  interested 
in  drawing  him  out,  adding,  now  and  again,  that 
"  city  life  was  the  only  life,  for  it  was  ever  present- 
ing opportunities  for  wealth  and  position,"  until 
one  day,  when  he  was  expatiating  more  than  usual 
as  to  the  city's  possibilties,  Joe  surprised  them  all 
by  suddenly  exclaiming:  "Well,  Ben,  I  am 
blessed  if  I  can  see  why  you  stay  here,  then.  I 
would  not  if  I  felt  that  away  about  it,  for  it  seems 
to  me  you  might  like  your  share  of  the  city's  spoils, 
if  they  are  to  be  had  as  surely  as  you  say." 

"  Well,  that  may  come  all  in  good  time ;  at  pres- 
138 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  139 

ent  I  enjoy  the  life  here  in  the  mountains,  to  say 
nothing  of  my  dear  cousin's  and  your  own  com- 
panionship," returned  Ben.  But  there  was  an  in- 
flection in  his  tone  as  he  spoke  of  Windy  that  was 
more  like  the  tone  he  had  used  the  night  many 
weeks  back  wher  he  had  hied  to  his  bed  instead  of 
joining  his  cronies. 

Windy  felt  it,  but  upon  glancing  at  his  burly 
kinsman,  found  his  face  perfectly  nonchalant  as 
well  as  his  manner.  A  little  later,  while  still  speak- 
ing of  the  city  life,  Ben  added,  "  Like  as  not  Windy 
here  will  be  the  one  to  vamoose,  as  he  is  so  taken 
with  the  gay  life." 

Some  few  days  later  Ben  remarked  at  the  supper 
table  that  a  friend  of  a  member  of  the  bunch  that 
he  chummed  with  had  dropped  in  from  California 
and  he  would  like  to  have  him  over  for  an  evening 
if  the  boys  were  agreeable,  as  he  was  a  deuced  fine 
fellow.  He  did  prove  to  be  a  most  interesting  and 
entertaining  youth  and  both  the  lads  really  en- 
joyed him.  He  seemed  to  take  quite  a  fancy  to 
Windy  from  the  first,  and  as  the  weeks  sped  by 
he  found  his  way  many  times  to  the  Snuggy  under 
one  pretense  or  other.  He  was  about  the  age  of 
the  lads,  although  he  seemed  much  older,  and  it  was 
evident  from  the  first  that  he  had  come  in  contact 
with  many  phases  of  the  world's  life,  for  he  had 
anecdotes  for  one  and  all  occasions  and  was  really 
a  comedian  of  no  common  sort.  He  had  at  one 
visit  suggested  to  the  lads  that  they  all  set  in  for 
a  game,  but  as  Ben  was  one  of  the  company  Joe 


140  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

had  refused  under  the  pretense  of  headache,  and 
from  that  time  Ned  Brigham  never  referred  to  it 
again.  But  many  times  and  long  did  he  sit  in 
when  with  the  gang,  of  whom  Ben  was  the  strong 
point,  while  it  was  at  Ben's  suggestion  (on  the 
side)  that  determined  him  never  again  to  ask  the 
lads  to  take  a  hand. 

Ben  had  confided  in  Ned  to  the  extent  that  the 
lad  never  doubted  but  that  Windy  was  the  one  that 
he  was  trying  to  shield  by  not  rousing  his  passion 
for  the  game.  Of  Joe's  unusual  keenness  of  the 
manner  of  the  players  —  his  intuition  as  to  their 
bluffing  and  his  consequent  big  luck  —  Ben  never 
spoke,  nor  did  Ned  dream  that  Joe  refused  to  make 
one  while  Ben  was  of  the  number  simply  because 
he  did  not  care  to  make  any  scenes  when  the  oily, 
suave,  sly  city  cousin  was  of  the  bunch. 

Ned  had  been  employed  in  several  hotels  since 
he  had  started  out  to  earn  his  own  livelihood,  and 
had  come  to  the  mountains  with  the  intention  of 
seeking  work  in  one  of  the  scattered  hotels  which 
nested  like  oases  amid  the  mountainous  region. 
His  home  was  in  California,  where  he  was  to  re- 
turn, seeking  the  sunny  clime  when  the  mountains 
ceased  to  entice  the  traveler  to  their  grandeur  be- 
cause of  their  too  icy  breath.  A  sort  of  rolling 
stone  he  had  always  been,  wishing  to  know  what  his 
country  was  like ;  he  had  consequently  become  a 
roamer,  going  hither  and  thither,  acquiring  the 
good  and  bad  as  they  were  brought  to  bear  upon 
him,  until  he  had  become  a  creature  of  impulse, 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  141 

swayed  by  thoughts,  himself  his  most  dread  enemy. 
Pitilessly  it  bound  him  as  with  iron  bands.  Bound 
him  because  he  could  be  swayed  by  the  will  of 
others  to  whom  he  felt  a  sense  of  fear,  remorse  or 
other  of  the  dread  elements  which  were  fighting  to 
control  his  character. 

And  now  the  summer  days  lingered  up  in  the 
mountainous  land,  where  the  brilliant  regal  sun- 
sets mellowed  into  the  afterglow,  then  seemed  to 
steal  far  into  the  perfumed  night  to  meet  the  tinted 
morn.  But  the  beauty  seemed  to  be  overlooked, 
at  least  by  the  gang  of  which  Ben  and  Ned  called 
themselves  a  part  —  for  as  with  the  warmth  they 
seemed  to  spend  even  more  time  than  before  over 
their  game  —  until  Ned  found  that  he  was  a  loser 
of  no  small  amount  and  that  to  Ben  he  was  a 
debtor.  Ned  had  almost  from  the  first  been  no 
match  for  Ben,  but  at  each  gathering  Ben  had 
strongly  urged  him  to  continue  to  sit  in,  adding 
always  in  an  undertone  that  "  none  of  the  bunch 
know  of  your  loss  and  your  luck  is  bound  to 
change." 

So  night  after  night  Ned  braced  up  and  played, 
sometimes  having  a  spell  of  better  success,  but 
even  so,  making  him  indebted  to  Ben  for  a  sum 
that  made  his  pulses  beat  at  a  rapid  pace.  At 
first  Ben  had  only  laughed  at  the  lad  as  he  had 
bemoaned  his  fate,  telling  him  that  it  would  all  end 
in  his  being  the  winner,  but  of  late  he  had  not  been 
quite  as  affable  and  had  even  asked  for  a  consider- 
able amount  of  the  indebtedness  of  which  Ned  did 


142  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

not  possess.  It  was  now  Ned's  turn  to  at  least 
feign  the  optimistical  spirit  and  tell  Ben  he  would 
yet  win  and  pay  him.  But  the  pessimist  was  be- 
coming very  apparent  in  Ben's  manner,  for  he  did 
not  urge  Ned  any  more,  but  exclaimed  to  him  one 
night  when  he  was  about  to  join  the  gang  that  if 
he  did  the  proper  thing  it  would  be  to  "  pay  up  " 
before  he  got  in  any  deeper.  From  that  evening 
he  had  been  anything  but  cordial  to  Ned,  nor  did 
he  make  it  possible  for  him  to  join  the  game  again. 

Windy  and  Joe  were  very  busy  these  days  and 
saw  but  little  of  Ben,  for  they  were  away  the  en- 
tire day  and  Ben  the  night.  One  day,  as  Windy 
was  leaving  the  chalet  after  guiding  a  party  of 
tourists  up  the  trail,  one  of  the  Jap  bellboys 
handed  him  a  letter  addressed  to  Ned  and  in  broken 
English  asked  him  to  give  it  him.  That  he  did, 
riding  over  where  the  little  settlement  was  located 
and  calling  upon  Ned,  who  on  opening  his  letter 
seemed  much  gratified  that  he  was  to  have  work  at 
the  chalet,  at  which  he  had  applied,  when  shortly 
on  his  arrival  at  the  mountains  some  weeks  pre- 
vious. He  told  Windy  of  his  good  luck,  adding, 
"  Thank  fortune,  for  now  I  can  begin  to  square 
myself."  More  he  did  not  say,  nor  did  Windy 
seek  to  learn. 

From  this  time  on  Ned  and  Windy  saw  a  great 
deal  of  each  other  and  rarely  a  day  passed  without 
their  having  a  short  chat,  for  Ned  began  his  duties 
at  once  at  the  chalet  and  grew  to  be  quite  a 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

favorite,  while  Windy  continued  to  act  as  guide, 
meeting  many  kind  tourists  as  he  piloted  them  to 
view  wonders  and  beauties  which  lay  concealed  be- 
neath the  snow-capped  mountains  and  stately 
glaciers. 

Back  in  the  East  the  perfumed  days  of  June 
gave  place  to  the  sultry  heat  of  the  advanced  sum- 
mer months,  and  Roma  spent  the  time  partly  in 
study,  partly  as  a  holiday.  Long  letters  she  wrote 
her  boys  and  the  dear  travelers.  Grateful  and 
entertained  was  she  by  the  breezy,  newsy  ones 
she  received  from  the  land  of  sunny  skies,  and  then 
again  of  snow-clad  peaks,  which  sent  her  thoughts 
back  to  her  own  mountains.  Roma's  letters  were 
quite  different  from  the  poor  little  attempts  she 
formerly  sent  to  her  boys  —  now  they  breathed  of 
thoughts  gleaned  from  her  intimacy  with  beautiful 
pictures,  many  of  which  teemed  with  lives  which 
expressed  nobility  of  mind,  and  which  instinctively 
appealed  to  the  girl;  music  with  its  stories  —  the 
nature  and  period  —  of  which  she  wrote  her  lads, 
until  they  grew  to  see  the  beauties  with  her  eyes, 
and  to  almost  hear  as  did  she  the  strains  of  the 
inspiring  melody.  She  still  sketched  and  painted 
with  her  aged  instructor,  and  many  a  morning 
found  them  in  the  dewy  garden  both  hard  at  work, 
while  sometimes  it  would  need  Betsy's  sonorous 
voice  to  resound  almost  at  their  ears  to  bring  them 
to  a  sense  of  the  realization  that  even  the  inner 
man  demands  some  attention.  Betsy  had  been 
very  happy  at  having  the  girl  with  her  and  many 


144  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

a  little  surprized  delicacy  she  placed  before  Roma 
as  a  token  of  her  good  will. 

While  visiting  one  of  her  school  girl  friends 
she  had  attended  a  play  taken  from  one  of  Dickens' 
works,  and  since  her  return  she  had  enjoyed  bring- 
ing out  upon  her  canvas  the  likeness  of  some  of 
the  characters,  as  she  felt  them  to  be,  to  the  amaze- 
ment and  wonderment  of  her  kind  instructor  and 
friend.  In  such  manner  the  summer  glided  away 
and  the  time  grew  near  for  the  reopening  of  the 
seminary.  Roma  was  looking  forward  with  the 
utmost  zeal  to  the  visit  she  intended  making  to  the 
beloved  Snuggy,  accompanied  by  her  dear  doc- 
tor, before  her  return  to  finish  another  year  of 
knowledge,  which  would  plant  her  a  little  firmer 
in  the  world  of  her  benefactress. 

Man  but  proposes,  still  God  is  always  true  to 
the  helm.  A  letter  came  one  day  bearing  a  foreign 
postmark,  which  brought  for  the  time  a  bitter  dis- 
appointment to  the  girl,  whose  heart  yearned  for 
her  dear  ones.  Dr.  Moult  on  had  deemed  it  best 
and  wise  to  remain  the  entire  winter.  She  was 
deeply  interested  in  her  studies  and  was  gaining 
in  her  pursuit  rapidly  —  her  mother  was  happy 
—  very  well  and  contented,  so  that  she  felt  it  was 
a  golden  period  for  her  to  remain. 

"  Roma  child,"  the  letter  continued,  "  I  know, 
dearie,  you  will  sorely  grieve  at  what  I  am  going 
to  say  to  you,  but  I  am  sure  you  will  be  glad  to 
obey  me.  I  would  rather  you  would  not  go  to 
your  home  in  the  mountains  until  my  return  —  be- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  145 

lieve  me,  it  will  be  the  better  way.  I  am  sorry  to 
ask  this  of  you,  but  I  feel  it  is  right;  and  as  you 
are  so  brave  I  know  that  you  will  overcome  your 
disappointment  without  prolonged  grief  —  partic- 
ularly as  I  feel  it  is  for  your  good." 

And  brave  she  was  —  her  letter  to  her  boys  was 
honest  and  cheerful,  telling  them  that  Doctor 
Moulton  wished  her  to  remain  East  until  the 
spring,  as  she  felt  it  would  be  better  in  the  end, 
and  that  while  she  was  hungry  to  come  she  wished 
to  please  her  dear  lady  and  she  felt  that  she  knew ; 
"  and  I  shall  have  to  sketch  my  Gypsy,"  she  wrote, 
"  just  for  her  company." 

A  brave  reply  came  from  Windy  some  few  days 
later,  telling  her  that  much  as  they  should  miss  her 
expected  visit,  they  felt  that  if  the  Doc  had  wished 
it  otherwise  it  was  surely  for  the  best  — "  For,  Sis, 
—  she,  we  know,  is  all  right." 

And  one  morning,  almost  before  the  busy  world 
was  astir,  when  Betsy  first  put  her  head  out  of  the 
window  for  a  breath  of  the  soft  summer  air,  she 
caught  a  glimpse  which  caused  her  nearly  to  lose 
her  balance  and  land  upon  the  clump  of  lilac  bushes 
which  grew  beneath  her  window,  with  the  words, 
"  Well  of  all  things,  if  there  does  not  go  firelight 
to  meet  the  daylight."  For  Roma  had  given  her- 
self a  treat,  to  offset  her  disappointment,  in  the 
form  of  an  early  morning  canter,  donning  her 
mountain  togs,  while  the  scarlet  kerchief  floated 
back  a  silent  salute  to  Betsy.  To  the  woods  —  the 
dewy  summer-scented  woods  —  she  went,  her  eyes 


146  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

lighting,  her  lips  thanking  the  Creator  of  all  for 
the  beauty  of  the  scene.  In  a  luxuriant  library  in 
California  the  same  girlish  face  and  figure  nestled 
in  a  heavy  silver  frame,  where  often  a  bouquet  of 
rarest  blossoms  was  placed  beside  her. 


CHAPTER  XXII 

The  gay  season  was  beginning  to  assert  itself 
along  the  turquoise  Pacific  —  the  hotels  at  the 
different  sojourns  were  rapidly  filling  with  guests 
who  came,  many  of  them  ladened  with  trunks  and 
hat-boxes,  for  fashion  ran  riot  at  this  season  of 
the  year.  At  some  of  the  hostelries  the  approach 
was  made  by  passing  avenues  of  calla  lilies,  while 
at  others  the  Bougainvillaea  clambered  with  its 
purple  blooms,  making  a  most  delicate  scene  as  it 
fell  in  graceful  streamers  from  its  tinted  height  to 
the  velvety  green  sward  beneath.  The  graceful 
pepper  trees  scattered  here  and  there  together  with 
the  flowered  mission  tree  with  its  pure  white,  bell- 
shaped  flowers  only  added  a  tithe  to  the  beauty  of 
the  wealth  of  nature's  bounty. 

Nina  Wentworth,  who  had  just  returned  from 
her  morning's  ride  of  miles  beside  the  flashing,  surg- 
ing ocean,  felt  that  it  was  indeed  a  happy  stroke 
of  fortune  which  allowed  her  to  spend  glorious 
weeks  again  and  again  at  the  luxuriant  resorts  of 
this  beautiful  region.  Her  home  had  always  been 
in  the  sunny  State  of  California  where  she  had 
lived  and  developed  like  a  tropical  plant  —  loving 
the  warmth,  the  fragrance,  and  the  beautiful  in 
nature.  It  had  seemed  to  her  that  her  every  wish 

147 


148  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

had  been  gratified  until  the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice 
had  come  into  her  life,  and  from  then  on  to  the 
present  time  there  had  been  a  sense  of  unrest. 

Nina  Wentworth  had  always  been  a  fickle, 
thoughtless  sort  of  girl,  and  now  as  a  woman  the 
deeper  things  of  life  wearied  her,  until  she  found 
that  the  only  thing  she  really  cared  for  was  the 
one  she  had  not  as  yet  succeeded  in  gaining  — 
the  adoration  of  Allyn  Prentice. 

She  had  tried  many  arts  upon  him,  but  they 
seem  to  rebound  to  herself  again  with  nothing  but 
failure  to  recompense  her.  But  now  he  had  prom- 
ised to  run  down  and  give  himself  a  bit  of  a  holi- 
day, while  she  had  already  planned  many  a  delight 
and  surprise  for  his  timely  sojourn.  She  felt  that, 
thrown  together  as  much  as  they  were  sure  to  be 
from  their  very  nearness,  her  hope  and  ambition 
might  and  would  be  achieved,  namely,  to  become 
his  affianced  wife.  Pride,  the  ruling  element  in  her 
life,  would  then  be  throned,  for  to  be  the  wife  of 
the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice  was  to  climb  the  topmost 
round  of  the  social  ladder.  That  she  might  be  the 
woman  who  could  and  would  supply  the  love,  ten- 
derness, disinterestedness  in  all  that  pertained  to 
his  happiness  and  welfare,  she  did  not  give  thought 
nor  special  wish,  only  in  the  way  of  gratifying  her 
own  pleasure  as  the  outcome  of  her  desire  and 
vanity.  She  felt  that  much  had  been  gained,  for 
never  before  had  he  consented  to  join  her,  and  she 
felt  that  possession  would  be  hers.  Well,  at  least, 
she  would  simply  have  to  wait  and  see. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  149 

"  I  will  confess  that  I  never  enjoyed  a  ride 
more,"  exclaimed  the  right  Honorable,  as  he  sprang 
from  his  saddle  and  hastened  to  assist  his  com- 
panion to  alight.  "  It  was  like  nectar  from  the 
gods.  Why,  even  the  seals  seemed  to  bark  joy- 
ously for  us  this  glorious  morning,  and,  as  for  the 
roses,  the  Goddess  Flora  must  indeed  have  been  in 
rapture." 

"  Ho,  ho,  that  was  a  very  pretty  speech.  Sup- 
pose you  use  some  such  metaphor  in  the  court- 
room at  some  later  date.  I  am  sure  you  would  be 
rechristened  the  poetic,  criminal  lawyer,  instead  of 
the  indomitable,"  laughingly  returned  his  com- 
panion, as  she  buried  her  face  in  a  huge  bouquet 
of  roses  still  with  great  pearly  drops  of  dew  nes- 
tling in  their  depths.  "  But  now  we  must  hasten 
or  breakfast  will  be  but  a  sigh  of  the  morning.  I 
will  join  you  speedily." 

At  this  moment  a  lad  hastened  forward  to  lead 
the  horses  away.  His  eyes  were  meanwhile  very 
busy  while  doing  so,  while  the  words,  "  Yes,  she  is 

a  better  looker  than  the  Doc,  but,  jingo me  for 

the  Doc.  Gad!  but  I  would  like  to  see  her  and 
Sis,  but  then  I  am  seeing  the  country  and  that  is 
worth  something,"  were  scarcely  audible. 

During  this  little  communion  with  himself  a 
hand  was  slapped  on  his  shoulder  and  who  but 
Ned  Brigham  should  greet  him. 

"  I  say,  Windy,  how  goes  it  ?  What  were  you 
mumbling  just  now?  Are  you  in  raptures  over 
the  Right  Honorable  and  his  fiancee?  Ha,  ha! 


150  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

Well,  I  don't  wonder  —  they  are  a  pretty  swell 
pair.  So  they  have  given  you  a  new  job,  hey?  I 
thought  you  were  bellboy  for  the  south  wing." 

"  Yes,  that  is  my  real  vocation  and  location," 
returned  Windy,  sot  to  voce,  "  but  one  of  the  lads 
here  at  the  stable  is  ill  and  I  am  helping  out  for  a 
bit.  You  see,  it  seems  like  old  times  — •  the  ponies, 
I  mean." 

"  Of  course,  but  I  wonder  how  they  all  are  up 
in  the  frigid  zone  to-day  —  at  the  same  old  game, 
I  suppose  —  Cousin  Ben  and  all.  By  the  way,  old 
man,  tell  me,  you  have  never  been  sorry  you  came 
back  with  me,  have  you?  A  little  later  I  have 
something  I  want  to  tell  you,  but  I  haven't  the 
time  just  now,"  and  here  Ned  looked  a  bit  embar- 
rassed. 

But  the  ring  in  Windy's  voice  as  he  exclaimed, 
"  Never  lose  any  thoughts  at  my  expense,  Ned, 
for,  to  speak  the  truth,  I  was  in  a  state  wishing 
for  transportation.  You  see  sometimes  two  is  a 
company  and  three  are  —  well,  just  one  too  many. 
Then  again  I  was  bound  to  see  some  of  my  world 
—  and  how  better  than  by  accompanying  you  to 
this  sunny,  flowered  land?  " 

"  Good,  my  friend ;  I  am  mighty  glad  you  feel 
that  way  about  it.  For,  well,  that  is  part  of  my 
story.  But  so  long  for  now,  you  will  be  back  at 
the  bellhop  job  again  soon  I  suppose,  then  I  shall 
see  you  more  often," —  and  so  saying  Ned  took 
himself  away  to  attend  to  his  duties  as  head  bell- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  151 

boy,  while  Windy  went  whistling  along,  leading 
the  proud,  sleek  beauties  back  to  their  stalls. 

"  Just  how  many  shall  you  require  after  such  a 
glorious  constitutional,"  smilingly  inquired  Nina 
Wentworth,  as  with  silver  tongs  she  daintily  poised 
a  lump  of  sugar  preparatory  to  the  aromatic  cup 
of  coffee  which  she  had  deemed  it  a  privilege  to 
help  her  companion  to,  seated  tete-a-tete  at  break- 
fast. 

"  Clever."  Did  the  word  form  itself  in  his 
thoughts,  to  be  transmitted  to  hers?  It  is  need- 
less to  ponder,  for  the  fact  remained  that  the 
charming  woman  of  the  world  employed  a  manner 
of  graceful  tactfulness  in  creating  an  atmosphere 
of  homeliness  and  interest  which  enveloped  him  in 
its  embrace.  That  she  felt  every  move  necessary 
for  her  cause  he  could  not  quite  realize,  for,  man 
that  he  was,  the  many  little  arts  studied  and  seem- 
ingly unconsciously  assumed  were  to  him  genuine, 
even  if  at  times  manifestations  confronted  him, 
causing  him  again  to  admit  her  innate  cleverness. 

And  now  as  Allyn  Prentice  gazed  with  admira- 
tion at  the  queenly  woman  —  noting  the  delicate 
hands  and  rounded  arms  which  seemed  so  well  fitted 
to  preside  over  the  dainty  accessories  —  the 
thought  as  of  telepathy  passed  through  his  con- 
sciousness, suggesting,  "  Why  not?  " 

She  was  indeed  a  most  charming  companion,  and 
would  grace  any  home  and  —  Here  a  bellboy 
laden  with  mail  sauntered  into  the  breakfast  room 


152  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

and  handed  letters  to  the  late  diners.  With  words 
of  apology,  both  were  soon  engrossed  in  their  own 
interests.  Invitations  to  receptions,  musicals  and 
bridge  for  the  most  part  formed  the  topic  in  the 
daintily  scented  missives  which  Nina  Wentworth 
opened  in  such  approved  fashion  and  to  which  she 
smilingly  acquiesced,  until  interrupted  by  an  audi- 
ble, "  Good  for  you,  my  friend ;  you  are  the  right 
sort,  I  should  say."  Suddenly  remembering  him- 
self, he  paused  and,  glancing  into  the  smiling  face 
opposite  him,  Allyn  Prentice  hastened  to  divulge 
'the  contents  of  the  letter  which  had  drawn  forth 
his  eager,  audible  approval. 

"  You  see,  my  dear  Nina,  this  letter  has  trav- 
eled many  miles  and  really  has  a  partial  commis- 
sion for  me  —  providing  I  may  be  turning  my  way 
East  again  as  I  was  obliged  to  do  a  year  ago, 
when  I  had  business  at  the  national  capital.  It  is 
from  the  sister  of  my  boyhood  and  college  chum, 
whose  home,  as  you  remember  my  telling  you,  is 
in  the  East.  At  present,  however,  she  and  her 
mother  are  in  Vienna  where  the  doctor  is  studying." 

"  Yes,  indeed,  I  remember  your  anecdotes  relative 
to  your  friend  and  his  near  ones  —  and  should  so 
much  enjoy  meeting  this  clever  doctor  and  her 
mother,"  returned  his  companion,  evincing  much 
enthusiasm.  "  But  what  as  to  the  commission ; 
can  you  execute  it?  " 

"  That  is  just  the  point.  Can  I?  I  am  of  half 
a  mind  to  try."  Here  a  half  smile,  fraught  with 
much  tenderness,  for  an  instant  passed  over  his 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  153 

rather  stern  lips,  then  he  continued,  "  You  re- 
member the  picture  which  stands  upon  the  mantel 
in  my  library  —  the  one  of  the  mountain  girl  in 
her  native  togs  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes  —  the  lass  who  has  the  brother  and 
who  lives  in  a  *  nuggy  '  ?  "  While  here  there  fol- 
lowed a  light  laugh  into  which  had  crept  a  tinge  of 
bitterness,  though  hardly  decernible. 

"  The  same ;  and  if  Elanore  Moulton  is  a  good 
judge,  love  strong  as  life  itself  breathes  from  the 
soul  of  this  sister  and  brother,  so  that  a  visit  to 
this  same  Snuggy  is  a  visit  of  inspiration." 

Nina  Wentworth  vouchsafed  no  further  com- 
ment, and  her  companion  continued,  "  But  this 
Snuggy  has  lost  its  maiden,  for  —  Oh,  do  not  be 
concerned," —  this  as  the  woman  with  her  soft, 
tropical  beauty  leaned  forward,  while  a  half  ex- 
pression of  awe  flitted  across  her  mobile  face, — 
"  she  is  living  and  most  happily  situated  as  a  par- 
tial inmate  of  Dr.  Moulton's  home.  The  object 
in  her  going  East,  the  doctor  writes,  is  to  secure 
an  education,  and  that  she  is  attending  a  school 
for  girls." 

"  How  very  entertaining ;  and  how  old  is  she, 
may  I  ask?  " 

"  Well,  really,  you  have  me.  I  cannot  answer 
that.  The  doctor  is  very  interested  in  her,  and  as 
she  is  to  remain  abroad  much  longer  than  she  at 
first  intended,  she  thought,  if  I  were  to  pass 
through  her  city,  that  she  would  commission  me 
to  visit  her  —  which  I  should  most  certainly  do, 


154  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

but  I  am  doubtful  as  to  being  obliged  or  even  able 
to  get  away,  particularly  after  the  few  days  I 
stole  to  come  here." 

A  slight  smile  crept  into  the  eyes,  whose  hue  was 
like  the  turquoise,  taking  away  a  trifle  of  the  steely 
glint  that  came  as  of  yore  to  their  azure  depths 
as  she  tactfully  smiled  with  her  lips  in  apprecia- 
tion of  Allyn  Prentice's  slight  compliment  to  her- 
self. 

A  little  later  the  beauty  of  nature  lured  them 
again  to  itself  while,  much  as  Nina  Wentworth 
enjoyed  the  remainder  of  the  glorious  day,  and  the 
companionship  of  her  distinguished  escort,  some- 
how a  pair  of  frank,  wondering,  girlish  eyes  would 
come  into  her  mental  picture  —  seemingly  with  no 
volition  of  her  own  —  until  she  felt  that  a  pair  of 
truthful  orbs  were  reading  her  and  wondering  at 
the  plotting,  scheming  and  yearning  of  her  shallow 
heart.  As  for  the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice,  gazing 
that  night  into  the  dome  of  heaven  as  the  stars  one 
by  one  flashed  forth,  he  again  searched  almost  un- 
consciously for  the  brightness  which  had  once 
seemed  to  radiate  from  them  to  him,  bearing  a 
united  significance  as  from  a  gleaming  initialed 
talisman. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

Nina  Wentworth  was  astir  the  next  morning  al- 
most before  the  birds  —  sleep  so  blest  and  which 
usually  came  to  her  so  kindly,  had  the  past  night 
stubbornly  evaded  her.  The  few  fitful  lapses  she 
had  in  dreamland  had  been  haunted  by  a  pair  of 
truthful,  searching  orbs  which  brought  even  in 
sleep  an  unpleasant  sense  of  unexplainable  rela- 
tionship. 

As  a  canter  of  many  miles  was  a  common  oc- 
currence to  her,  she  had  upon  arising  determined 
to  steal  one  long  before  the  Right  Honorable  could 
even  dream  she  had  left  her  couch.  Full  well  she 
knew  the  glow  of  cheek  and  sparkle  to  eyes  she 
would  present  by  so  doing,  rather  than  the  slight 
pallor  which  she  now  noticed  so  overcame  her. 

That  they  had  planned,  as  upon  the  preceding 
morning,  a  ride  together  made  no  difference  rela- 
tive to  her  new  mode  of  action;  she  would  still  be 
in  better  trim  for  her  morning's  conquest. 

Thinking  not  to  ring  —  having  donned  her 
habit  —  she  prepared  to  walk  toward  the  stables, 
feeling  most  certain  she  would  meet  a  lackey  who 
could  saddle  a  horse  for  her.  She  was  right  in 
her  conjecture,  and  having  bade  him  make  ready 

for  her  canter  she  walked  on  a  bit  farther  and 
155 


156  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

stepping  into  a  little  summer  house  which  stood 
almost  concealed  by  vines  and  clambering  roses, 
there  planned  to  await  her  pony. 

Seating  herself,  she  had  scarcely  finished  ex- 
patiating upon  the  beauty  and  fragrance  of  the 
dewy  roses  when  the  voices  of  lads  seeming  at  the 
back  of  the  summer  house  roused  her.  Fearing 
it  might  be  guests  of  the  hotel,  and  not  wishing  to 
be  seen,  she  stepped  quickly  behind  a  screen  of 
flowered  chintz  which  stood  at  one  side  of  the 
arbor,  which  being  partially  secluded  was  used  at 
times  as  a  tearoom. 

"  How  I  wish  Sis  could  just  breathe  this  scented 
air !  —  As  for  a  canter,  she  would  not  believe  any- 
thing could  be  as  glorious  as  one  alongside  the 
ocean  this  morning  must  be." 

"  You're  right,  Windy.  But  let's  see ;  you  will 
see  that  Sis  —  what's  her  name?  Mona?  Roma? 
now  which?  I  forget.  You  see  I  never  saw  her. 
That  dearly  beloved  Cousin  Ben  represented  the 
family  to  me." 

Here  a  humorous  laugh  tinged  with  sarcasam 
rang  out  from  the  lad,  to  be  followed  by  one  of 
equal  sarcasm  as  his  companion  returned,  "I  guess 
we  all  feel  pretty  much  the  same  as  to  Ben  —  even 
Roma  cannot  quite  understand  him." 

To  Nina  Wentworth,  the  names  Sis,  Roma,  and 
then  Windy  brought  a  vision  —  a  vision  of  a 
mountain  home,  where  love  —  loyal  and  true  — 
prevailed;  but  what  could  this  mean?  What 
could  this  lad  be  doing  so  far  from  his  own  region  ? 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  157 

With  strong  curiosity  she  peered  around  from  her 
post  of  shelter  to  recognize  the  very  lad  that  had 
led  the  horses  away  after  the  glorious  ride  Allyn 
Prentice  and  she  had  enjoyed  the  preceding  morn- 
ing. Strangely  enough  the  lads  continued  to 
stand  beside  the  arbor.  Suddenly  Windy's  com- 
panion exclaimed: 

"  Well,  say,  Windy.  You  know,  it  has  helped 
me  a  whole  lot  what  you  told  me  yesterday  —  that 
you  were  glad  you  had  come  out  here  to  California. 
For,  to  tell  you  the  truth,  it  was  part  of  my  pay- 
ing up  your  beastly  cousin  (sorry  to  so  have  to 
call  your  relation)  that  made  me  coax  you  so 
strongly  to  come  along.  You  see,  he  agreed  to 
cancel  half  my  poker  bill  due  him  if  you  accom- 
panied me." 

"  So  that  was  his  game," —  here,  a  slight  pallor 
spread  over  the  boyish  features,  as  Windy  slap- 
ping his  companion  on  the  shoulder  added, — 
"  Well,  Ned,  it  has  turned  out  thus  far  all  right, 
so  what's  the  dif  ?  And  if  by  my  coming  I  helped 
you  pay  up,  I  have  managed  to  be  of  some  good, 
so  don't  let  that  worry  you  any  longer  —  for  I  am 
content."  At  this,  on  they  strode,  leaving  Nina 
Wentworth  still  wondering. 

Briskly  as  she  sped  through  the  scented  morn- 
ing air,  the  late  conversation  she  had  heard  accom- 
panied her  —  thoughts,  queries,  imaginations,  all 
passed  fleetly  through  her  mentality  —  until  as 
she  approached  the  broad  gravel  path  after  her 
canter  of  many  miles  she  realized  the  restful  frame 


158  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

of  mind  she  had  expected  had  not  been  acquired. 
However,  the  glow  and  brightness  were  apparent, 
and  that  must  suffice,  and  when  a  little  later  she 
joined  the  Right  Honorable  for  their  united  ride 
no  one  could  have  dreamed  of  a  restless  night,  nor 
the  secret  she  held  of  the  proximity  of  a  brother 
whose  love  for  his  Sis  was  enduring,  loyal  and 
true. 

The  next  morning  as  Nina  Wentworth  passed 
through  the  long  corridor  on  her  way  to  the  break- 
fast room  she  gave  an  almost  perceptible  start, 
for  there  in  bellboy  regalia  stood  Windy  —  Sis's 
brother.  How  like  they  were  —  this  brother  and 
the  pictured  face  of  his  Sis,  the  girl  Roma.  "  It 
would  seem  as  if  this  girl's  face  was  to  be  kept 
forcibly  in  my  mental  picture  even  to  the  thrust- 
ing of  this  lad,  unknown  save  by  myself,  to  con- 
tinue to  annoy  me,"  half  muttered,  half  groaned 
the  fashionably  gowned  woman  —  whom  to  see  was 
but  to  admire. 

She  alone  was  conscious  of  the  many  annoying 
thoughts  which  intruded  as  she  strove  to  charm 
her  distinguished  companion,  until  he,  basking  in 
her  brightness,  acknowledged  to  her  his  enjoyment, 
and  declared  it  one  of  their  pleasantest  tete-a- 
tetes. 

Of  one  thing  Nina  Wentworth  was  most  grati- 
fied to  learn;  that,  as  Sis's  brother  had  been  put 
back  into  the  hotel,  he  was  not  in  the  wing  where 
Allyn  Prentice's  room  was  located.  "  It  is  just  as 
well  they  do  not  meet,  for  although  I  should  not 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  159 

deem  it  probable  for  the  judge  even  to  notice  the 
likeness,  still  it  is  as  well  he  should  not  be  given 
the  test.  As  to  that  Cousin  Ben,  it  is  more  than 
likely  he  is  desperately  in  love  with  the  girl.  At 
least  I  hope  so." 

Several  days  had  now  passed  since  Nina  Went- 
worth  had  first  learned  that  the  bellboy  who  so 
quickly  and  gentlemanly  executed  the  many  com- 
missions assigned  him  was  none  other  than  the  lad 
from  the  mountainous  Snuggy.  That  he  was  not 
using  his  own  name  she  also  had  learned,  for  she 
had  several  times  heard  other  of  the  help  call  him 
Andrews.  That  he  was  always  most  civil  to  her, 
she  could  well  understand,  for  innate  refinement 
was  his.  The  evening  came  all  too  quickly  when 
on  the  morrow  Allyn  Prentice  should  return  to  his 
vocation  again.  There  was  to  be  an  especially 
attractive  program  arranged  for  the  pleasure  of 
the  guests  that  night  in  the  form  of  amateur  tal- 
ent in  charades  —  Nina  Wentworth  being  partic- 
ularly active  as  one  of  the  partakers. 

In  enacting  the  character  assigned  her  it  was 
deemed  necessary  she  should  wear  many  jewels, 
while  she,  nothing  loath,  felt  that  perhaps  the 
very  radiance  which  they  would  shed  on  her 
would  bring  into  such  clearness  her  beauty  that 
the  man  whom  she  sought  to  charm  would  be  under 
her  spell. 

Returning  to  her  room  the  latter  part  of  the 
afternoon  on  the  day  when  she  must  appear  in  her 
most  ravishing  toilette,  she  rang,  and  Windy,  the 


160  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

spruce  new  bellboy,  answered.  Bidding  him  go  to 
the  clerk,  she  commissioned  him  to  bring  her  a 
package  from  the  safe  which  he  should  say  she 
wished.  He  returned  shortly  and,  after  giving  the 
usual  tip,  Nina  Wentworth  withdrew  with  her 
package  into  her  boudoir.  Seating  herself  before 
her  dressing  table,  she  soon  was  busily  arranging, 
then  rearranging,  gems  most  beautiful  and  bril- 
liant. Having  at  last  decided  which  would  pro- 
duce the  best  effect  as  well  as  the  one  she  was  most 
desirous  of  creating,  she  returned  the  remaining 
glittering  baubles  to  their  cases.  Then  putting 
them  into  a  handbag  she  locked  it,  putting  the  lit- 
tle silver  key  back  upon  the  slender  chain  she  wore 
about  her  neck.  Thinking  then  to  rest  for  a  spell, 
she  selected  a  book  she  was  interested  in,  and  soon 
was  enjoying  to  the  utmost  a  quiet  respite.  As 
the  hour  for  dining  drew  nearer,  she  decided  she 
would  be  served  in  her  own  apartment,  thinking 
not  to  dress  until  she  should  for  her  character 
part. 

That  night  a  gloriously  beautiful  woman  with 
soft  clinging  robe  of  palest  yellow,  displaying  neck 
and  arms  of  almost  marble  whiteness  upon  which 
gems  of  rare  beauty  flashed  and  scintillated,  could 
have  been  seen  preparing  to  leave  the  apartment 
which  upon  the  register  was  reserved  by  Miss  Nina 
Wentworth,  Los  Angeles,  California.  Glancing  at 
the  clock  of  Dresden  standing  on  the  dresser  and 
which  pointed  to  a  quarter  to  ten,  the  vision  of 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  161 

beauty,   wrapping  herself  in   a  long  black   satin 
cloak,  turned  and  left  the  apartment. 

The  charades  proved  most  pleasing,  while  Nina 
Wentworth  as  Cleopatra  easily  won  the  distinction 
which  merited  her  the  evening's  praises.  Later 
and  when  the  early  hours  of  the  morrow  had  been 
ushered  in  that  would  bring  to  an  end  the  holiday 
sojourn  of  the  keen  criminal  lawyer,  and  he  had 
asked  the  fascinating  and  still  radiantly  jeweled 
and  gowned  Cleopatra  to  seek  the  beauty  and  fra- 
grance which  outside  was  so  apparent,  there  beside 
great  blossoms  which  hung  their  heads  so 
freighted  with  sweetness,  he  —  Allyn  Prentice  — 
at  last  manifested  tenderness  most  welcome  to  the 
modern  Cleopatra. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

The  days  and  weeks  passed  rapidly  and  happily 
for  the  most  part  with  the  girl  Roma ;  still,  the 
past  year  had  wrought  many  changes  in  the  or- 
phaned girl.  Not  that  she  was  unhappy,  for  that 
was  not  true,  as  he  loved  her  studies  and  was  most 
anxious  to  be  one  of  Dr.  Moulton's  world  when  she 
should  have  returned  from  her  prolonged  sojourn. 

Still,  much  as  she  was  beloved  by  her  girl 
friends,  there  was  a  something  she  longed  for. 
Could  it  be  the  old  life  in  the  mountain  home? 
Yes  and  no.  There  were  days  when  it  seemed  she 
must  fly  there,  for  she  needed  the  love  and  kin- 
ship of  that  dear  Broth,  her  only  tie  of  blood ;  but 
she  had  promised  her  beloved  benefactress  and  so 
must  abide.  The  very  fact  of  the  repression  at 
times  made  it  all  the  harder  to  obey. 

Then,  again,  she  had  been  working  very  hard  at 
her  adored  work,  and  was  bringing  out  most  flat- 
tering results  with  her  pencil  and  brush.  The 
talent  she  had  shown  when  sketching  nature  about 
her  mountainous  home  had  taken  even  deeper 
thought,  until  her  studies  of  the  natural,  both  in 
face  and  figure,  were  bordering  upon  the  marvelous 
—  such  depths  of  feeling  as  she  depicted  not  only 

in  feature  and  expression  but  even  in  the  poise  of 
162 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  163 

her  subjects.  The  dear  old  friend  was  in  raptures, 
often  stopping  to  look  at  her  with  almost  rever- 
ence, after  some  touch  from  her  brush  would  send 
a  look  of  love,  sorrow  or  even  repugnance  into  the 
face  upon  her  canvas.  Then  putting  his  hands 
upon  her  shoulder,  he  would  turn  her  face  to  his 
and  say,  "  My  dear  child,  God  has  indeed  given 
you  a  rare  gift." 

Dr.  Moulton's  letters  began  to  have  in  them  a 
cadence  of  home,  and  before  long  it  would  be  the 
springtide  again,  and  she  would  be  perfectly  happy 
for  it  would  mean  her  friend,  her  dear  Broth,  and 
her  visit  to  the  Snuggy. 

One  day  a  letter  postmarked  California  came 
as  a  great  surprise  to  her,  seeming  in  her  brother's 
handwriting.  Not  thinking  it  possible,  she  opened 
it,  to  learn  that  he  was  seeing  some  of  the  world 
and  that  he  was  working  his  way  by  doing  odd 
jobs;  that  he  was  only  on  a  short  sojourn,  for  as 
soon  as  he  was  needed  in  the  mountains  back  he 
should  go.  "  For  you  see,  Sis,  this  summer  is  to 
be  the  summer  for  us  all,  as  our  little  civilized  girl 
is  to  be  with  us  again." 

Of  the  beauty  of  the  flowers  and  trees  he  spoke 
in  glowing  fashion,  and  ended  by  stating  that  some 
of  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  were  not  to  be  sneezed 
at. 

The  news  was  a  great  surprise  to  Roma;  while 
at  first  a  sense  of  worriment  seized  her,  but  after 
a  little  she  began  to  feel  pleased  that  her  brother 
should  have  taken  such  a  start,  for  she  knew  full 


164.  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

well  the  loneliness  of  the  winter  in  the  mountains. 
As  for  Joe  and  Ben,  she  knew  one  or  the  other 
would  be  obliged  to  remain  to  care  for  the  ponies; 
aye,  even  her  own  Gypsy.  "  Joe,  dear  good  Joe ; 
he  will  remain  at  his  post,  of  that  I  am  sure.  Yes, 
faithful  Joe,  you  are  one  of  God's  gentlemen,  al- 
though education  and  polish  were  denied  you. 

"  Oh,  how  I  wish  I  knew  just  where  the  kind 
friend  of  Dr.  Moulton  lives  who  sent  me  my  pre- 
cious gift," —  and  here  almost  unconsciously  she 
caressed  the  slender,  gold  cross  which  hung  by  a 
dainty  chain  about  her  soft  full  throat  —  "  and 
to  think  of  my  beloved,  glowing,  gleaming  color 
flashing  from  its  one  precious  ruby;  surely  our 
love  for  the  bright  is  identical." 

In  removing  her  hand  from  her  unique  bauble 
her  glance  rested  upon  the  signet  ring  that  had 
long  adorned  her  finger,  and  instantly  in  an  almost 
apologetical  tone,  she  added,  "  No,  little  ring,  I 
do  not  love  it  more,  nor  as  much;  for  you  were 
my  first,  and  then  again  you  breathe  of  a  presence 
of  a  living  creation  of  God's,  you,  with  your  ini- 
tials A.  E.  P. ;  and  wherever  you  are,  whoever 
you  are,  my  prayers  are  ever  for  your  success." 

As  for  its  former  owner,  the  Hon.  Allyn  Pren- 
tice, he  was  being  carried  rapidly  back  to  Los 
Angeles  to  his  life  of  counseling  for  and  against 
crime,  often  in  its  grossest  form.  He  had  bid- 
den the  charming  woman  of  the  world  a  rather 
hasty  good-by,  for  in  some  way  the  glamour  of 
the  evening  had  in  a  measure  deserted  him;  per- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  165 

haps  because,  upon  answering  his  early  morning 
ring,  a  new  bellboy  had  confronted  him  with  eyes 
so  like  eyes  that  had  looked  into  his  from  the  frame 
which  adorned  his  library  mantel,  and  which  al- 
most unconsciously  he  had  missed  while  on  his 
holiday  sojourn. 

"  Yes,  Nina  is  charming,  most  charming,  but," 
—  here  an  acquaintance  sauntered  into  the  smoker 
and  all  thoughts  of  the  fair  Nina  were  turned  into 
more  matter-of-fact  channels. 

As  for  the  lady  in  question,  the  word  failure 
seemed  ringing  in  her  shell-like  ears  and  standing 
out  in  bold  relief  before  her  eyes  of  tortoise  hue; 
while  with  a  feeling  of  baffled  hope  and  pride,  she 
sought  her  room. 

It  had  been  very  late,  or  rather  quite  early, 
when  she  had  retired  to  her  rest  of  the  morning, 
and  as  she  had  arisen  very  early  to  bid  Godspeed 
to  her  departing  guest,  she  felt  that  she  needed  a 
speedy  rest.  Preparing  to  refresh  herself,  she 
gave  a  perceptible  start  as  she  remembered  her 
jewels,  and  that  she  had  not  as  yet  returned  them 
to  the  hotel  safe. 

She  had  left  the  bag  in  her  room  the  previous 
evening,  having  hidden  it  while  at  the  charades, 
intending  to  send  them  all  back  when  she  should 
disrobe  them  from  her  figure  before  retiring;  but 
as  it  had  been  a  rather  unseasonable  hour,  she  had 
simply  unlocked  her  hiding-place  for  them  and 
dropped  the  glittering,  scintillating  jewels  to  join 
the  brilliant  gems. 


166  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

Now,  as  she  again  unlocked  her  case,  thinking  to 
put  them  into  better  shape  than  her  hurried  de- 
posit in  the  early  morning  hours,  she  let  the  won- 
drous things  nestle  in  her  gowned  lap.  Several 
flashing  ornaments  had  been  restored  to  their  spe- 
cial nook  in  the  protecting  cases  of  chamois,  when 
a  sudden  startled  exclamation  broke  from  her  red 
lips.  "The  string  of  rubies,  where  are  they? 
Surely  I  have  not  dropped  them ! "  Rising  in 
great  haste,  she  searched,  then  continued  to  search, 
each  moment  the  color  fading  faster  from  her 
startled  face.  The  little  clock  of  Dresden  ticked, 
then  ticked  with  mocking  calmness,  as  the  minutes 
passed  by,  all  unheeded  by  the  now  thoroughly, 
wrought  up  woman. 

She  rang  for  the  floor  maid,  although  she  knew 
she  had  not  been  in  the  room  since  the  appearing 
of  the  jewels,  for  as  she  had  wished  to  attire  her- 
self, she  had  laughingly  remarked  that  she  would 
be  her  own  maid,  at  least  for  one  night.  As  the 
maid  entered,  Nina  Wentworth,  who  was  adroitly, 
busily  occupied,  casually  remarked,  "  Oh,  Nellie, 
you  may  make  up  my  bed,  as  I  may  have  some  early 
callers,  and  would  like  to  get  the  tidying  through." 

"  Yes,  very  well,  Miss,"  and  the  room  soon  be- 
gan to  take  on  a  tidy  look. 

Meantime,  Nina  Wentworth  watched  the  girl, 
though  in  tactful  manner,  casually  remarking,  "  I 
had  a  real  gala  time  last  evening,  as  well  as  in 
the  wee  hours  of  the  morning,  acting  as  my  own 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  167 

maid.  You,  of  course,  did  not  come  in,  Nellie,  as 
I  asked  you  not  to." 

"  Oh,  no,  Miss,  and  as  you  did  not  need  me  and 
the  rest  of  my  ladies  were  sort  of  helping  each 
other  dress  for  the  tableaux,  I  asked  out  and  stayed 
at  my  sister's  ov^r  night." 

"  That  was  a  nice  change  for  you,  but  now, 
hurry  a  bit,  for  I  have  some  important  business 
I  must  attend  to." 

The  eyes  of  the  lad  Windy,  Sis's  brother,  were 
ever  before  her,  and  to  think  they  were  the  eyes 
of  a  thief!  Yes,  it  must  be  so,  else  why  should 
he  have  used  other  than  his  own  name,  and  have 
left  his  own  mountainous  haunts,  if  not  to  gain 
in  some  way,  perhaps,  who  knows,  so  that  he  could 
give  that  Sis,  he  truly  loved  so  deeply,  trifles  ever 
dear  to  a  feminine  heart?  But  to  think  of  its  be- 
ing at  her  expense !  It  surely  was  enough  that  his 
Sis  had  stolen  a  place  where  she  could  not  find  en- 
trance ! 

With  the  thought,  her  impatience  grew,  and 
when  at  last  the  maid  informed  her  that  she  was 
finished,  it  was  with  an  almost  audible  sigh  she 
dismissed  her,  feeling  that  now  indeed  she  must 
grapple  with  the  situation. 


CHAPTER  XXV 

"  Well,  puss,  I  will  lay  a  red  rose  at  thy 
shrine," — thereupon  the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice 
drew  from  his  lapel  a  crimson  velvety  rose  and 
added  it  to  the  small  cluster  of  Cape  jasmine 
which  partially  filled  the  slender  silver  vase, — "  for 
I  fear  your  nosegays  have  been  sadly  neglected 
of  late." 

Somehow  the  previous  evening  when  entering 
his  luxuriant  library  a  sense  of  loss  or  incomplete- 
ness filled  him;  why  or  how,  he  could  not  tell. 
But  after  a  sort  of  renewed  acquaintance  with 
his  possessions,  including  a  deep  glance  into  the 
truthful  eyes  of  his  girl  of  the  Snuggy,  he  hastily 
exclaimed,  "  By  Jove,  I  have  it.  Not  a  flower, 
not  even  a  bud,  by  my  little  mountain  lass's  pic- 
ture." 

The  next  morning  delicate  sprays  again  found 
an  abiding  place  in  the  slender  vase  to  which 
now  the  crimson  rose  had  been  added,  while,  could 
the  original  have  known,  she  would  have  declared, 
"  Just  this  lovely  carmine  completes  it." 

A  busy  day  had  Allyn  Prentice  put  in  and 
now  as  he  sank  into  his  great  leather  chair,  draw- 
ing his  drop-light  to  the  right  position,  he  prom- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  169 

ised  himself  a  bit  of  respite.  His  evening  paper 
had  been  partially  consumed  while  he  subcon- 
sciously was  enjoying  the  luxury  of  his  finely  ap- 
pointed room. 

With  a  sense  of  annoyance  he  heard  the  tele- 
phone ring  out  hi;  number  and  with  reluctance  he 
left  the  depths  of  his  cozy  chair  and  turned  to 
comply  with  the  unknown  communicant.  In  cross- 
ing to  the  telephone,  he  passed  the  cluster  of  jas- 
mine and  its  sweet  fragrance  was  wafted  to  him 
like  a  caress.  Seating  himself,  he  hastily,  almost 
irritably,  picked  up  the  receiver,  while  a  most  an- 
noyed "  Yes  "  resounded  throughout  the  room. 

"  Allyn,  is  it  possible  that  is  your  voice,"  came 
in  sweetest  tones.  "  I'll  wager  a  box  of  bonbons 
you  do  not  know  who  is  speaking,  but  at  least 
my  tones  are  placid."  Here,  a  silvery  tinkle 
floated  to  the  ear  of  the  Right  Honorable,  whose 
face  by  this  time  showed  plainly  traces  of  sur- 
prise. 

"  Nina,  where  on  earth  are  you  at  this  mo- 
ment? Your  voice  is  very  near  me,  as  I  believe 
you  are." 

"  Right  you  are.  I  am  in  Los  Angeles,  arrived 
from  the  sea  late  this  P.  M.,  and  am  in  desperate 
need  of  your  skill.  Can  you  not  run  over?  " 

If  the  fair  Nina  could  have  seen  the  expression 
of  ennui  which  overspread  her  listener's  face,  she 
would  have  felt  anything  but  flattered.  Howbeit 
the  tone  in  which  he  answered  her  was  much  im- 
proved over  his  hasty  "  yes,"  and  really  by  this 


170  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

time  he  was  thoroughly  roused,  as  he  knew  it  must 
be  something  far  out  of  the  ordinary  to  take  the 
fascinating  Nina  Wentworth  from  the  fashionable 
hotel  where  she  was  reigning  queen. 

"  Yes,  I  will  have  Asa  brought  around  and  will 
soon  be  with  you,  if  you  will  pardon  the  uncon- 
ventionality  of  my  riding  togs  in  so  doing." 

"  That  I  surely  will," —  and  here  a  soft,  modu- 
lated "  good-by  for  the  present "  closed  the 
spirited  conversation. 

Charming  as  ever  was  the  woman  into  whose 
presence  Allyn  Prentice  was  ushered  some  little 
time  later,  and  very  friendly  was  her  bearing  to- 
ward him.  Secretly  she  felt  that  even  now  the 
very  occasion  had  occurred  that  might  bring  him 
more  into  her  presence,  and  she  felt  that  possibly 
success  for  her  might  yet  arise,  even  though  it 
brought  dire  suffering  to  a  far-away  one.  That 
Windy  was  guilty,  she  felt  certain;  still  the 
haunted  look  in  his  wide-open  eyes  as  he  realized 
that  he  was  accused  of  the  loss  of  her  rubies  had 
never  left  her  thoughts,  try  as  she  had  to  obliterate 
it. 

Rising  from  her  dainty  chair,  she  invited  her 
caller  to  one  of  ease  beside  her,  and  immediately 
began  relating  the  loss  of  her  jewels.  Finishing, 
she  added: 

"  Now,  Allyn,  I  have  a  great  favor  to  ask  of 
you.  You  see  my  rubies  are  an  heirloom  and  are 
worth  a  small  fortune  for  their  beauty  as  well. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  171 

I  must  have  them,  and  I  want  you  to  fight  the 
case  for  me.  Say  you  will."  Here  with  unusual 
excitement,  she  rose  and  coming  to  him  looked  the 
entreaty  she  had  voiced. 

"  My  dear  Nina,  I  am  very  sorry  to  learn  of 
your  loss  and  full  well  I  remember  the  beautiful 
flashing  gems  which  so  well  became  you.  Only  this 
afternoon  did  I  receive  word  from  an  out-of-town 
party  asking  my  services  in  a  case  of  a  minor,  a 
lad,  who  would  be  at  the  court-house  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  whose  case  I  agreed  to  conduct.  Of 
course,  if  he  should  be  one  and  the  same,  that 
you  have  accused,  I  shall  have  to  defend  him,  as  I 
am  pledged,  but  where  is  the  lad  and  what  is  his 
name?  "  intently  inquired  her  visitor,  now  thor- 
oughly interested. 

"  I  suppose  the  culprit  is  also  here  in  Los  An- 
geles, by  this  time,  as  he  was  to  come  with  Mr. 
Warner,  the  night  clerk.  As  to  his  name,  he  gives 
it  as  Andrews."  Here  a  faint  flush  passed  the 
oval  of  Nina  Wentworth's  cheeks  as  she  realized 
the  knowledge  she  had  gleaned  relative  to  his  real 
identity. 

A  few  more  questions  the  lawyer  asked,  bidding 
his  still  rather  querulous  hostess  have  no  fear  as 
it  was  most  probable  her  gems  would  again  soon 
encircle  her  white  throat,  bringing  with  them  an 
added  value  by  their  brief  loss. 

Wishing  her  good  night,  he  sought  his  coal- 
black  horse,  where  under  the  bright  starlight  he 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

again  returned  to  his  dimly  lighted  apartment, 
his  curiosity  appeased,  his  mentality  aroused  to 
conquest  for  the  continuance  of  his  noted  name. 

Meantime,  Windy,  the  frank,  honest,  loyal 
mountain  lad,  had  been  questioned,  cross-ques- 
tioned, stared  at,  as  if  he  were  an  offspring  of 
the  Evil  One,  and  finally  held  as  one  who  knew 
the  whereabouts  of  a  string  of  rubies  he  vowed  he 
had  never  even  seen.  He  had  been  summoned  to 
the  beautiful  room  of  Miss  Wentworth,  together 
with  Mr.  Warner  and  Mr.  Ranlett,  both  gentle- 
men of  importance  at  the  hotel ;  Mr.  Warner  being 
the  gentleman  in  charge  of  the  office  at  night, 
while  Mr.  Ranlett  was  the  real  manager. 

The  instant  he  entered,  the  door  closed  behind 
him,  while  a  perfect  volley  of  questions  was  hurled 
at  him.  At  first  it  seemed  to  the  lad  almost  in 
the  manner  of  a  joke,  a  semi-serious  joke,  and 
one  which  he  did  not  seem  to  follow;  but  as  the 
moments  passed,  as  the  query,  together  with  the 
scrutinizing  looks,  were  bent  upon  him,  he  realized 
he  was  the  subject  of  a  very  trying  proposition. 
As  he  turned  from  time  to  time  from  the  faces  of 
the  two  gentlemen  to  the  violet  eyes  of  the  beau- 
tiful woman,  he  felt  that  in  hers  lay  the  least 
sympathy  for  or  with  him.  The  last  words  she 
had  uttered  before  he  had  left  her  presence  had 
puzzled  him  full  well,  for  they  had  given  him  to 
understand,  though  in  a  veiled  manner,  that  she 
knew  he  had  been  disguising  under  a  false  name 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  173 

and  that  she  believed  it  had  been  for  an  evil  pur- 
pose. 

A  still  more  serious  talk,  if  possible,  had  fol- 
lowed after  leaving  Miss  Wentworth's  apartment, 
the  two  gentlemen  assuring  him  if  he  would  own 
up  and  produce  the  gems  that  they  would  stand 
by  him  and  that  he  should  never  feel  the  hand 
of  the  law.  Again  and  again  he  assured  them 
that  he  was  innocent,  that  never  had  he  taken  as 
much  as  a  sou  from  any  living  creature.  Still 
they  were  obdurate,  although  at  the  last,  when 
Mr.  Ranlett  bade  the  lad  good-by  as  he  was  about 
to  start  for  Los  Angeles,  where  he  was  to  appear 
the  following  day  in  court,  he  laid  his  hand  al- 
most, caressingly  on  the  boy's  shoulder  and  looking 
straight  into  the  deep  eyes,  had  exclaimed,  "  Gad, 
boy,  if  I  don't  believe  in  you." 

All  the  way  as  the  train  flashed  along  in  the  fast 
gathering  darkness,  Windy  Anderson's  brain 
seemed  afire,  while  the  looks  which  seemed  to  ema- 
nate from  two  pairs  of  eyes  nearly  drove  him  to 
frenzy ;  one  sending  forth  such  distrust  and  almost 
hatred  to  him,  which  he  seemed  better  able  to 
bear  than  the  sorrowful  but  still  trusting  look 
which  welled  up  from  the  eyes  so  like  his  own,  and 
which,  thank  Heaven,  were  far  distant. 

Again  it  seemed  as  if  he  must  have  Joe  —  big, 
loyal  Joe  —  at  his  side;  but  how? 

On,  on,  now  into  the  deep  darkness  the  train 
still  bore  them,  until  the  many  lights,  twinkling 
nearer  and  nearer,  like  ever  restless  fireflies,  as- 


174  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

sured  them  their  destiny  was  near.  A  sorry  en- 
trance into  the  beautiful  city  it  proved  to  Windy, 
his  heart  nigh  to  bursting. 

Little  sleep  came  to  soothe  the  pent-up  boy. 
Humiliated  as  never  before  in  his  young  life,  not 
until  the  light  began  to  peep  through  the  windows 
did  rest  so  blessed  come  to  the  weary  lad.  The 
next  morning  he  was  awakened  by  a  voice  seem- 
ingly far  away  for  a  time,  and  with  a  deep  groan 
he  aroused  himself  to  meet  the  eyes  of  his  guard 
whose  apartment  he  had  shared,  a  deeper  sense  of 
humiliation  being  borne  on  him  as  he  realized  what 
the  advancing  day  held  for  him. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

Somehow  the  morning  which  found  Windy  An- 
derson, alias  Andrews,  so  filled  with  chagrin  and 
despair,  that  it  seemed  more  than  he  could  bear, 
found  the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice,  keen-eyed,  keen- 
witted, criminal  lawyer,  with  a  positive  curiosity 
to  view  the  lad  who  had  been  accused  of  stealing 
Nina  Wentworth's  jewels. 

That  he  was  guilty  he  never  for  an  instant 
doubted,  but  that  he  would  divulge  his  guilt,  as 
well  as  the  hiding-place  of  the  gems,  he  again  never 
doubted. 

Just  why  he  took  such  special  interest  in  the 
case  he  could  not  tell,  except  for  the  restoration 
of  the  heirloom  and  to  bring  pleasure  to  the  vio- 
let eyes  of  a  beautiful  woman.  Still,  somehow, 
he  did  not  seem  to  dwell  as  much  upon  Nina's 
peace  of  mind  as  upon  the  unrest  of  the  culprit. 

"  Poor  little  devil,  it  will  go  hard  with  him, 
whether  he  confesses  or  otherwise,  I  am  afraid. 
Still  if  he  is  my  client  I  will  help  fight  for  him,  as 
I  am  expected  to  do,  and  God  knows  the  lad  may 
be  innocent,  and  sorely  need  my  help.  I  am  afraid 
Nina  will  not  relish  a  seance  in  the  police  court 
this  glorious  morning;  but  my  colleague,  Lauren 
Stocton,  will  help  in  a  way  io  appease  her  repug- 
175 


176  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

nance,  as  he  is  a  very  fascinating  man,  as  well  as 
an  able  counsel." 

A  good  half  hour  before  he  would  be  obliged 
to  present  himself  in  the  court-boom,  Allyn  Pren- 
tice turned  the  knob  leading  into  the  anteroom  of 
the  police  station  to  find  it  occupied  by  the  clerk 
at  the  fashionable  hotel  at and  a  lad  of  de- 
pressed appearance. 

Advancing,  he  greeted  the  clerk,  remarking  that 
when  leaving  his  hotel  he  had  not  expected  to 
meet  him  again  so  soon  and  was  sorry  that  it  had 
to  come  about  through  such  unpleasant  conditions. 
Then  turning  to  the  lad,  who  had  risen  together 
with  Mr.  Warner,  he  continued,  "  So  you  are  the 
one  I  have  to  do  my  best  for,  eh?  Well,  let  me 
look  at  you." 

At  this  a  firm  white  hand  was  placed  under  the 
astonished  lad's  rounded  chin,  while  his  eyes,  as 
by  some  power  apart  from  his  own  will,  sent  their 
frank,  open  gaze  into  the  man's,  standing  before 
him. 

A  long,  scrutinizing  look  was  sent  into  Windy's 
eyes,  seeming  to  draw  his  soul's  pent-up  anguish 
to  the  surface ;  while  to  Allyn  Prentice's  conscious- 
ness dawned  a  positive  truth  of  the  boy's  innocence, 
and  instead  of  the  implied  insinuation  that  though 
guilty  he  meant  to  aid  him,  he  almost  uncon- 
sciously exclaimed,  as  with  reluctance  he  drew  his 
gaze  from  the  depths  of  the  other's  eyes,  "  My 
lad,  it  will  take  some  powerful  fighting  from  the 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  177 

other  side  to  convict  you,  as  I  am  assured  as  to 
your  honesty." 

To  the  boy  with  his  few  friends  and  his  moun- 
tainous home  so  far  distant,  the  earnest  words  of 
this  keen-eyed  lawyer  revealed  more  than  mere  in- 
terest in  a  case  of  law.  It  revealed  a  belief  in 
him,  a  belief  in  his  honesty. 

When  the  criminal  lawyer  had  entered  the  ante- 
room where  waited  Mr.  Warner  and  Windy,  the 
latter  had  been  surprised  into  almost  uttering  an 
exclamation  as  he  recognized  at  once  the  gentle- 
man who  had  so  recently  been  a  guest  at  the  hotel 
from  which  he  had  been  discharged  under  such 
trying  conditions. 

Now  again  in  fancy  he  could  see  this  same  erect 
figure  seated  upon  the  back  of  a  prancing  horse 
and  by  his  side  the  very  woman  whose  jewels  he 
was  now  accused  of  possessing.  How  little  he  had 
dreamed,  when  after  their  canter  had  been  finished, 
and  he  had  led  their  horses  away,  that  he  would 
be  within  a  few  days  accused  of  theft  by  one  and 
defended  by  the  other.  And  now  for  the  first  time 
since  he  had  glanced  into  the  blue  eyes  of  the 
woman  who  had  thus  accused  him,  seeing  the  steely 
glint  which  seemed  to  envelop  him,  had  he  felt 
there  was  any  real  aid  or  friendship  for  him,  al- 
though he  realized  that  the  two  men  at  the  hotel 
were  most  anxious  to  assist  him.  Many  questions 
were  put  the  lad  by  the  man  whose  face  inspired 
confidence  and  when  a  little  later  the  woman  with 


178  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

the  eyes  of  changing  hues,  accompanied  by  a  gen- 
tleman of  scholarly  bearing,  entered,  Windy  felt 
a  sense  of  protection  he  had  not  felt  when  last  in 
her  presence. 

It  did  not  take  Windy  long  to  note  the  look  of 
undisguised  friendship,  while  to  the  observing  eyes 
of  the  lad  there  seemed  a  deeper  ardor  to  creep 
into  the  eyes  of  the  beautiful  woman  as  she  turned 
her  gaze  to  Allyn  Prentice ;  while,  as  for  the  keen- 
eyed  lawyer,  only  a  sense  of  preoccupation  seemed 
apparent,  as  he  most  deferentially  assisted  her. 

Many  more  questions,  then  cross-questions, 
followed,  and  when  at  last  the  query  was  finished 
and  his  brother  attorney  vouchsafed  to  escort  the 
fair  Nina  to  her  waiting  carriage,  it  was  very 
apparent  that  she  desired  the  added  escort,  as 
well,  of  the  lawyer  for  the  defense,  upon  her  brief 
walk.  This  he  complied  with,  half  hesitatingly, 
which  was  noted  equally  by  his  brother  lawyer 
as  well  as  by  the  fashionably  gowned,  beautiful 
woman,  much  to  her  secret  annoyance.  The 
thought  that  the  lad  might  divulge  his  name,  which 
she  had  withheld  even  from  her  attorney,  fearing 
the  influence,  by  her  presence,  of  the  girl  Roma, 
should  she  learn  of  the  bitter  ordeal  through 
which  her  beloved  brother  must  pass  and  come 
to  him  at  any  cost,  brought  a  faintness  unex- 
plainable  to  the  woman,  who  had  accused  Windy, 
alias  Andrews,  of  the  theft.  The  feeling  of  intui- 
tion that  she  experienced,  that  the  Hon.  Allyn 
Prentice  really  believed  in  the  lad's  honesty,  lent 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  179 

a  zest  to  her  purpose  to  win  her  case,  thus  secur- 
ing her  precious  jewels,  even  if  it  were  the  means 
of  breaking  the  heart  of  a  sister  whose  only  tie 
was  a  brother,  and  whose  home  in  the  mountains 
would  be  no  home  without  the  love  and  protector- 
ship of  such  a  tie. 

As  for  the  brother,  waiting  for  the  reappearing 
of  his  friend,  for  this  he  felt  the  Hon.  Allyn 
Prentice  to  be:  the  one  thought  surged  through 
and  through  his  half-dazed  senses,  how  to  prove 
his  innocence,  to  pay  back  in  the  only  way  he  was 
capable  his  deep  gratitude  to  the  man  who  trusted 
him.  After  some  little  longer  conversation  pro 
and  con  for  the  facts  he  needed,  Allyn  Prentice 
suddenly  exclaimed,  "  And  now,  my  lad,  I  am  going 
to  become  responsible  for  you,  for  I  believe  in  you. 
As  you  have  no  place  to  go  for  the  present  and 
Mr.  Warner  has  to  return,  I  want  you  to  come 
home  with  me.  What  do  you  say?  " 

Poor  Windy!  If  Nina  Wentworth  had  vowed 
that  his  real  name  should  be  kept  a  secret,  how 
much  more  had  he?  For  had  not  his  Sis,  his 
Roma,  a  life  before  her,  and  what  would  it  be 
if  it  were  known  that  her  brother  was  believed 
to  be  a  thief?  And  now  as  Allyn  Prentice's  words 
fell  on  his  ear  his  first  thought  had  been  of  the 
homage  both  he  and  Roma  owed  this  man,  while 
the  words  which  came  trembling  to  his  lips  in 
answer  were  only  by  a  superhuman  effect  stayed, 
as  he  returned,  "  Oh,  Mr.  Prentice,  how  can  Ro — 
How  can  I  ever  repay  you  for  your  faith  in  me." 


180  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

While  to  the  man  of  the  world  a  feeling  of  de- 
termination permeated  him  that  he  would  indeed 
prove  his  faith  in  the  lad  to  be  intrinsic. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

How  fared  the  two  who  had  made  the  Snuggy 
their  home  through  the  cold  bleak  winter  days? 
To  Joe,  they  had  proved  long,  indeed,  for  without 
the  companionship  of  his  friend  there  had  been 
moments,  aye,  even  hours,  when  it  had  seemed 
to  him  that  he  also  must  leave;  leave  the  only 
home  he  had  now  known  for  many  a  year,  and 
follow  Windy  out  into  a  world  of  action. 

As  the  weeks  passed  he  realized  clearer  the  rea- 
son of  his  great  unrest;  realized  that  in  losing  the 
almost  constant  companionship  of  Roma's  brother, 
he  had,  as  it  were,  parted  again  from  her  whom 
he  now  knew  he  so  dearly  loved.  Ever  and  anon 
they  had  brought  her  presence  to  them  by  their 
keen  interest  in  all  that  concerned  her,  and  that 
of  itself  had  brought  infinite  pleasure  and  peace 
to  them  both.  Now  with  no  one  to  quote  many 
of  her  bright,  interesting  remarks,  no  one  to  talk 
to  of  her  beauty,  her  thoughtfulness,  her  every 
personal  attribute,  the  test  of  Joe's  love  was  cru- 
cial. 

As  for  Ben,  he  still  claimed  the  same  abode 
as  his  home,  but  there  were  weeks  which  elapsed 
and  not  a  glimpse  of  him.  While,  when  he  deigned 

to  favor  the  Snuggy  with  his  presence,  it  was  al- 
181 


182  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

ways  an  added  test  of  loyalty  to  both  Windy  and 
his  Sis,  for  to  Joe's  ears  many  a  slurring  remark 
would  have  been  borne  had  it  not  been  vigorously 
and  emphatically  shown  from  the  first  that  such 
could  have  no  entree. 

Then  many  times,  as  if  reading  his  very  thought, 
Ben  had  half-sneeringly  remarked :  "  I  say,  Joe, 
why  is  it  you  do  not  take  a  respite  like  Windy. 
I'll  wager  he  is  having  the  time  of  his  life.  Now, 
as  you  have  never  been  East  and  as  Miss  Roma  is 
there  "  (here  an  apparently  innocent  glance  would 
accompany  the  words,  a  deep  tinge  the  while  creep- 
ing to  Joe's  dark  skin)  "  she  would  be  sure  to 
welcome  you,  and  like  as  not  introduce  you  to  some 
of  her  new-found  friends ;  while,  if  they  did  not 
possess  too  much  book  learning,  they  might  be  in- 
duced for  novelty  to  become  Mrs.  Joe,  and  then 
when  Miss  Roma  returns  in  the  spring  she  would 
have  a  neighbor;  and,  who  knows,  between  us  all 
finding  wives  a  real  colony  might  be  started." 

To  this  and  like  remarks,  Joe  was  constantly 
treated  when  in  Ben's  presence;  remarks  which  he 
knew  were  intended  to  wound  and  humiliate,  still 
so  veiled  that  any  outward  comment  would  only 
have  proved  him  the  smaller  and  weaker-minded 
of  the  two.  So  that,  while  he  allowed  no  insulting 
remarks  to  in  any  way  menace  the  absent  ones, 
the  veiled  insults  he  bore  in  silence;  only  loving 
the  more,  as  he  kept  his  loneliness  and  yearning  to 
himself. 

Ben  still  found  congenial  company  over  to  the 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  183 

colony,  where  many  a  new  lad  had  been  by  him 
initiated  in  the  game,  to  his  deep  regret. 

Ben  had  now  been  staying  for  some  little  time 
at  the  Snuggy,  occupying  himself  by  mending  his 
saddle  and  polishing  and  cleaning  his  several  guns, 
as  he  devoted  his  leisure,  when  out  of  the  game, 
to  hunting.  Many  new  skins  now  graced  the  floor 
and  covered  the  walls  of  the  mountainous  home 
since  Roma  had  left  the  unique  abode;  being  the 
result  of  Joe's  and  his  prowess. 

It  had  been  several  weeks  now  since  Joe  had 
received  any  news  from  either  Windy  or  the  lass, 
whose  letters  to  him  were  kept  so  carefully  and 
read  so  often  and  tenderly.  He  had  just  returned 
from  feeding  and  bedding  the  ponies,  and  still  felt 
the  contact  from  Gypsy's  warm  tongue  as  she  ca- 
ressed his  hand,  hoping  by  so  doing  to  win  still 
another  treat  of  the  sugar  he  so  often  allowed 
her. 

Unconsciously  his  face  had  assumed  a  sadness 
which  of  late  had  often  rested  there,  but  of  which 
he  had  no  thought  as  to  its  transparent  depth. 

"  Well,  Joe,  I  have  decided  to  take  a  trip  my- 
self, seeing  you  are  bound  to  remain  a  fixture," 
exclaimed  Ben,  some  little  time  later  of  the  same 
evening,  as  he  came  into  the  den  where  Joe  sat 
reading  and  puffing  at  his  cob  pipe. 

"  Well,  Ben,  where  on  earth  are  you  headed 
for?  "  exclaimed  his  companion,  a  tone  of  puzzled 
query  in  his  tone. 

"  As  to  just  the  point  of  the  compass,  I  have 


184  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

not  as  yet  decided;  but  of  one  thing,  it  will  be  to 
a  warmer  clime,  for  upon  my  soul  I  have  been  shriv- 
eled up  all  this  winter."  Then,  here  another  of 
his  side  glances  rested  on  Joe's  now  interested 
visage,  as  he  continued,  "  and  I  may  make  a 
lengthy  spell  of  it;  in  such  case,  do  not  forget  to 
extend  my  kindest  regards  to  Miss  Roma,  when 
she  visits  you  and  her  brother  here  in  the  spring. 
Of  course,  it  is  just  possible  I  may  see  her  in 
the  East  ere  she  leaves  for  her  sojourn  at  the 
mountains.  In  such  case  I  will  extend  yours  to 
her.  Eh,  what  say  you?  " 

Ever  the  same  probing  from  him,  while  to  Joe 
it  ever  brought  the  same  pang,  as  it  revealed  to 
him  a  love  deep,  but  guarded,  as  he  believed. 
Great  honest  creature,  as  he  was,  he  was  incapable 
of  thoughts  to  which  the  crafty  Ben  was  so  accus- 
tomed, nor  could  he  know  that  the  ardor  of  his 
great  love  was  so  keenly  apparent. 

"  Well,  Ben,  I  do  not  see  but  I  shall  in  truth 
keep  old  bachelor's  hall;  still  something  tells  me 
it  will  not  be  for  long;  one  or  other  of  the  flock 
will  be  with  me." 

The  next  morning,  before  Joe  had  roused  from 
his  deep  sleep  in  which  he  had  seemed  to  feel  that 
Windy  was  with  him  and  that  a  conversation  of 
deep  import  was  being  discussed,  he  was  startled 
by  an  unusual  commotion,  and  hastily  rising  he 
looked  out  to  see  in  the  early  gray  dawn  several 
of  Ben's  cronies  who  had  evidently  come  to  bid 
him  good  luck.  Dressing  hastily,  he  descended,  to 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  185 

find  that  although  early  Ben  had  preceded  him 
and  had  about  started  to  prepare  a  bit  for  break- 
fast just  as  his  cronies  had  put  in  their  appear- 
ance, he  evidently  not  intending  to  rouse  Joe. 

Deftly  Joe  enlarged  the  bite  Ben  was  about  to 
serve  up  for  his  delectation,  adding  a  rasher  of 
bacon  and  a  tidbit  of  venison,  to  which  the  now 
prospective  traveler  did  ample  justice. 

Just  as  the  pale  rays  of  Old  Sol  came  over  the 
white-tipped  pines,  Joe  again  helped,  as  with  Roma, 
then  Windy,  and  now  lastly  Ben,  to  tie  his  needed 
belongings,  this  time  encased  in  a  spruce,  yellow 
valise,  to  the  back  of  the  pony,  who  would  be  led 
back  again  riderless,  to  join  Gypsy  and  the  other 
creatures  in  their  usual  shelter. 

Joe  had  also  learned  that  one  of  his  pals  would 
accompany  Ben,  and  as  he  watched  them  as  they 
passed  out  of  vision  down  the  white,  silent  trail, 
thoughts  as  of  premonition  came  to  him,  almost 
voicing  the  words,  "  They  are  not  bent  on  any 
good,"  while  following  almost  instantly  into  his 
consciousness  seemed  to  float  the  faces  of  the  other 
absent  ones  of  the  united  Snuggy,  ending  with  a 
sudden  remembrance  of  his  interrupted  conversa- 
tion with  Windy  from  which  he  had  been  so  rudely 
awakened  in  the  early  mistiness  of  the  morning 
hours. 

If  the  faithful  lad,  standing  under  the  tall, 
snow  besprinkled  pines,  could  have  known  of  the 
two,  recently  received  letters,  postmarked  Los  An- 
geles, California,  of  their  cruel  contents  and  of 


186  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

the  spirit  of  exultation  which  beat  under  the  coat 
of  fur  which  covered  the  wicked,  treacherous  heart 
of  the  oily  Ben,  he,  too,  would  have  descended  the 
trail  to  speed  to  his  old  pal,  there  to  befriend,  en- 
courage and  liberate,  were  it  in  his  power,  one 
whom  Ben  had  doubly  hated  and  sworn  to  banish, 
since  the  night  back  in  the  Snuggy,  when  he  had 
suffered  so  keenly  from  him,  even  as  he  knew  it  to 
be  well  merited  chastisement.  Still  his  sense  of 
wounded  vanity  had  never,  as  yet,  been  appeased. 
Well  might  Joe  wonder  why  no  message  reached 
him,  especially  from  Windy.  Ben  might  have  ex- 
plained the  reason,  had  he  so  desired,  for  he  had 
never  lost  track  of  the  absent  lad,  and  even  now 
in  the  depths  of  his  pockets  were  several  letters 
addressed  to  Joe.  Not  until  his  diabolical  scheme 
had  been  consummated,  as  now  he  well  knew  it  had, 
did  he  breathe  of  his  planned  departure,  feeling 
that  now  his  nearness  to  the  Snuggy  would  be 
most  distasteful. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

"  Dainty  Spring,  blest  season  of  the  year." 

"  You  are  right,  my  dear  Roma.  Ah,  well  I 
remember  when  at  your  age  the  gladness  and  am- 
bition which  filled  my  being  as  the  soft  air  wooed 
the  world  to  creep  forth  from  its  period  of  seclu- 
sion; while  even  now  a  buoyancy  seems  to  per- 
meate my  senses  not  felt  at  any  other  season  of 
the  year." 

Roma,  with  her  stanch  friend  and  artist  teacher, 
had  just  returned  from  a  walk  filled  with  intense 
charm  to  both.  Many  a  glance  of  interest  was 
vouchsafed  them  as  they  passed;  their  souls  so 
filled  with  the  beautiful  in  nature  as  to  radiate 
charm  on  all  about  them. 

"  Yes,  and  you  see,  my  friend,  this  spring  is 
to  be  an  especial  one,  for  I  am  to  see  again  all 
so  dear  to  me,  also  my  home  in  the  mountains.  I 
almost  wish  the  days  were  swallows  and  I  could 
wave  them  to  fleetest  flight." 

Here  a  wistful  far-away  look  crept  into  the  full 
orbs,  a  pair  of  duller  ones  watching  her,  fascinated 
by  her  youth  and  anticipation,  long  since  an  al- 
most forgotten  element  with  him. 

"  Then,  my  dear  doctor  has  positively  promised 
to  accompany  me  to  the  Snuggy  shortly  after  her 
187 


188  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

return,  which  will  be  in  a  few  little  weeks.  Oh, 
I  am  so  glad,  so  glad.  And  I  will  tell  you  a  dear 
secret,  but  you  must  not  breathe  it.  Just  this: 
I  am  truly  lonely  for  my  hills." 

Such  good  fellowship  as  had  been  enjoyed  be- 
tween these  two!  Roma  often  felt  that  God  was 
indeed  caring  for  her  through  this  earth  comrade- 
ship and  guide. 

The  soft,  velvety  pussy-willows,  which  the  chil- 
dren carried  so  lovingly  and  guarded  so  tenderly 
so  that  their  dear  ones  might  be  pleased  to  receive 
the  first  trophy  of  spring,  had  been  followed  by 
the  sweetly  perfumed  arbutus,  while  the  bluebird 
had  come  to  remain. 

It  had  been  several  weeks  now  since  Roma  had 
heard  from  her  brother,  but  she  reasoned  to  her- 
self that  he  was  likely  on  his  way  back  to  the 
Snuggy  and  that  soon  she  must  receive  word.  A 
few  days  after  her  charmed  walk  with  her  artist 
friend,  word  was  given  her  that  a  gentleman  was 
waiting  in  the  reception  room  and  wished  to  speak 
to  her.  Quickly  she  responded,  expecting  the  gen- 
tleman, the  one  and  only  one  —  her  benefactress' 
friend  as  well  as  her  own.  To  her  great  astonish- 
ment who  should  rise  from  the  chair  as  she  entered 
but  Ben,  her  Cousin  Ben,  looking  larger  and 
grosser  than  ever;  while  his  manner,  as  he  ap- 
proached her,  was  more  suave  than  she  had  ever 
before  noted. 

"My  dear  Cousin  Roma,  how  charming  you  have 
grown!  Why,  really,  you  would  almost  be  con- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  189 

sidered  a  beauty;  and  to  think  you  are  going  to 
waste  it  all  back  up  the  trail.  Gad !  but  I  say,  it 
is  too  deuced  bad." 

Roma,  who  had  disengaged  her  hand  from  the 
apparent,  desired,  lengthy  clasp  of  her  cousin, 
flushed  a  deep  tinge  as  she  hastened  to  enquire 
for  Joe,  and  if  any  news  had  been  received  of  her 
brother. 

Ben's  answer  was  sort  of  evasive,  spending  as 
little  time  as  possible  upon  the  subject.  His  one 
theme  seemed  to  be  herself.  Again  and  again  he 
returned  to  her  personal  charm,  each  time  in  a 
manner  which  caused  Roma  to  feel  momentarily  a 
sense  of  keen  depression  for  which  she  failed  to  ac- 
count. 

He  informed  her  he  was  East  on  a  little  holiday, 
should  be  about  her  city  for  a  few  days,  and 
should  be  pleased  if  she  would  dine  with  him  the 
following  evening  and  they  would  then  take  in  some 
musical. 

Roma  felt  that  she  would  rather  not  go,  but 
remembering  the  words  her  brother  had  once  said, 
when  speaking  of  Ben,  "  Remember  he  is  our  coz," 
she  accepted,  though  in  a  manner  that  caused  a 
angry  look  to  slumber  in  the  shifting  look  Ben 
bent  upon  her,  as,  bidding  her  good-by,  he  left, 
promising  to  call  early  for  her  the  following  night. 

Many  times  during  the  hours  which  elapsed  be- 
tween his  departure  and  reappearance,  Roma  had 
for  the  first  time  in  her  life  considered  feigning. 
First  she  felt  that  she  must  decline,  telling  him 


190  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

the  rules  of  the  school  demanded  it,  but  she  knew 
a  relative  was  allowed.  Then  she  believed  she 
would  have  a  bad  headache  —  anything,  only  not 
to  be  obliged  to  go.  It  was  not  so  much  her  feel- 
ing of  mortification,  although  she  admitted  she  was 
not  over  proud  of  Ben  for  his  grossness  was  very 
apparent,  as  it  was  the  something  she  could  not 
fathom,  a  something  in  him  she  had  never  recog- 
nized before;  but  again  Windy's  words  of  his  kin- 
ship rang  in  her  ears,  to  which  she  obeyed,  a  rad- 
iant girl  meeting  the  cousin  instead  of  a  properly 
excused  one,  she  would  have  wished. 

The  evening  passed  in  partially  pleasant  manner 
to  the  girl,  who,  hearing  in  gushing  remarks  of  her 
beauty  at  meeting  her  cousin,  was  given  a  respite 
the  remaining  evening  relative  to  it,  as  from  her 
manner  the  oily  fellow  felt  that  discretion  was  nec- 
essary. 

A  carriage  was  called  at  the  close  of  the  musical 
and  into  the  night  they  were  carried.  A  few  mo- 
ments before  the  lights  of  the  large,  rambling 
school  buildings  were  visible,  Ben,  with  a  sudden 
move,  drew  the  girl  into  his  arms,  while  in  a  hoarse, 
low  voice  he  breathed,  "  And  now,  my  cousin,  my 
enchantress,  give  me  my  kiss,  for  you  are  a  fas- 
cinating little  creature,  my  cousin." 

For  the  instant  Roma  felt  the  same  chill  which 
had  permeated  her  senses  the  day  before,  but  which 
she  had  striven  to  annihilate.  Now  she  allowed 
her  inclination  to  have  full  sway,  ending  in  a  tone 
which  showed  the  now  too-familiar  Ben  the  depths 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  191 

of  her  nature,  as  that  of  a  slumbering  tigress  and 
one  safer  to  let  alone. 

Reaching  the  porte-cochere,  she  rose  and  passed 
into  the  house,  inwardly  quivering  at  his  rudeness ; 
outwardly  carrying  a  poise  filled  with  contempt 
and  disdain,  while  the  words  she  had  hurled  at  him 
still  rung  in  her  ears :  "  Whether  kith  or  kin,  of 
one  thing  I  am  convinced:  you  are  a  cowardly 
knave!" 

While  the  lout,  the  usurper,  as  he  leaned  far 
back  after  his  last  glance  had  been  thrown  upon 
the  girlish  figure,  exclaimed :  "  So  ho,  my 
haughty  beauty,  you  have  won  this  time  —  but  my 
turn  will  come  later." 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

Let  us  now  return  to  Windy  as  he  accompanied 
his  newly  found  friend,  for  as  such  he  claimed 
the  Right  Honorable  —  although  now  in  his 
thoughts  he  always  styled  him  "  The  Prince,"  in- 
stead of  his  dignified  title,  for  had  he  not  indeed 
been  one  to  him!  And  was  he  not  to  go  to  his 
home ;  the  Prince,  himself,  vouching  for  his  ap- 
pearance at  the  trial  ?  What  more  royal  act  could 
one  do  ?  Oh,  if  he  could  only  keep  the  whole  thing 
from  Sis !  Poor  Sis,  it  would  break  her  heart ; 
while  cruelly  unjust  as  it  is,  it  would  bring  its 
disgrace  just  the  same,  unless  he  could  prove  his 
innocence.  Why  had  he  ever  left  his  mountain 
home!  Oh,  for  some  ray  of  truth  and  right  to 
come  to  him ! 

"  Well,  Andrews,  here  we  are ;  my  stamping 
ground  for  at  least  a  portion  of  the  day.  Come, 
we  will  go  in." 

Allyn  Prentice  had  deemed  it  wise  to  take  the 
lad  into  his  own  custody,  a  divided  reason  influ- 
encing him ;  keen  curiosity  in  regard  to  the  lad  as 
well  as  interest  in  the  reappearing  of  Nina  Went- 
worth's  gem,  while  an  unusual  tinge  of  sympathy 
for  the  attractive  youth  lent  itself  in  hospitality 

to  him. 

192 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  193 

As  Windy  arose  from  the  taxi  which  had 
whirled  them  so  rapidly  from  the  police  station, 
and  followed  his  companion  into  the  luxuriantly 
furnished  apartment,  his  feelings  were  divided; 
great  waves  of  gratitude  surged  over  him,  to  be 
followed  by  twinges  of  remorse  for,  at  the  mention 
of  his  assumed  name,  a  feeling  of  repugnance  over- 
came him.  And  he  was  feeling  that  it  would  be 
best  to  tell  the  Prince  the  truth  about  himself, 
when  they  entered  the  well-appointed  library.  At 
that  moment  the  soft,  cathedral  chimes  rang 
forth,  and  Windy's  boyish  eyes  turned  instinctively 
toward  the  sound  —  when,  dear  Heaven!  What 
could  it  mean ! 

Fortunately  for  the  dazed  lad  the  Honorable 
Allyn  Prentice  had  preceded  him  into  his  library, 
where  bidding  Windy  make  himself  comfortable, 
he  had  already  become  engrossed  in  his  day's 
mail.  To  Windy,  his  heart  seemed  to  stop,  then 
leap  in  his  bosom,  while  with  the  greatest  effort 
he  sought  to  calm  himself.  Was  it  a  trap  the 
Prince  had  set  for  him?  But  no,  for  how  could 
he  possibly  know  aught  of  him?  No  one  did,  ex- 
cept Ned,  and  he  was  sure  he  had  not  divulged 
aught.  It  might  be  some  girl  whose  face  was  iden- 
tical with  his  Sis's ;  but,  even  then,  those  togs,  her 
mountain  togs?  Oh,  what  could  it  mean?  With 
almost  fear  Windy  glanced  at  the  man  still  busily 
engaged  with  his  own  interests,  half  expecting  to 
find  his  eyes  scrutinizingly  bent  on  him.  But,  no. 
Then  with  a  boldness  he  hardly  felt,  Windy  walked 


194  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

straight  to  the  mantel  and  gave  a  long  look  into 
the  pictured  eyes  of  his  Sis  —  the  girl  Roma  — 
whose  clear  chirography,  "  A  Child  of  Nature," 
was  inscribed  beneath. 

How  long  he  remained  looking  into  that  beloved 
face  Windy  could  not  have  told.  He  was  recalled 
to  himself,  however,  by  the  voice  of  his  benefactor, 
saying,  "  Well,  how  do  you  like  the  lass,  whom  I 
begin  to  style  my  mascot?  Is  she  not  a  typical 
Western  type  in  her  buckskins  P  " 

"  Well,  yes,  that  was  what  I  was  thinking,"  re- 
turned the  lad,  not  daring  to  remove  his  eyes  from 
the  pictured  face.  "  It  is  a  fancy  photo,  I  ex- 
pect." 

"  Ry  no  means.  The  little  lady  is  a  frank, 
stanch  bit  of  humanity,  whose  home  is  in  the  moun- 
tains. Rut  come,  now,  we  will  have  a  little  more 
talk  relative  to  yourself." 

Somehow  the  words  implying  that  the  frank, 
gladsome  girl  should  be  but  a  trick  of  the  imagina- 
tion, instead  of  a  living,  breathing,  loving  being, 
struck  on  the  lawyer's  heart  with  a  feeling  akin 
to  sadness.  A  sense  of  gladness  suddenly  followed 
as  he  realized  her  true  and  real  identity. 

As  for  the  brother,  a  feeling  of  loyalty  had 
possessed  him,  bidding  him  shield  his  Sis,  even  to 
the  deceptiveness  of  his  assumed  name.  As  for 
the  Prince,  he  seemed  even  nearer  to  him  than  be- 
fore, while  a  feeling  of  surety  seemed  to  pass  be- 
fore him  that  his  Sis  would  indeed  prove  a  mascot 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  195 

for  him,  as  well  as  the  man  who  should  defend 
him. 

It  was  a  pity  that  Roma,  far  away  in  the  East, 
could  not  have  known  of  the  importance  of  the 
letters  which  lay  concealed  in  the  pockets  of  the 
obnoxious  Cousin  Ben,  as  he  sat  and  extolled  upon 
her  beauty,  the  while  her  beloved  Broth  was  suf- 
fering the  keenest  humiliation.  Had  she  even  so 
much  as  known  of  the  deep  trouble  her  dear  one 
was  in,  her  woman's  intuitiveness  might  have  aided 
her.  As  for  Ben,  often  since  the  night  when  she 
had  repulsed  him  had  he  been  on  the  verge  of  send- 
ing her  an  anonymous  letter,  acquainting  her  of 
Windy's  plight,  but  each  time  something  had  ar- 
gued that  the  time  was  not  yet.  He  was  still  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  city  where  Roma  lived  and  there 
he  intended  to  remain  for  an  indefinite  time. 
Something  might  come  of  it,  who  could  tell? 
With  Roma,  a  restlessness  she  could  not  account 
for  seemed  to  possess  her.  It  must  be  it  was  be- 
cause the  time  was  drawing  so  much  nearer  for 
her  to  go  to  that  mountain  home,  while  she  began 
to  think  that  perhaps  Broth  had  returned,  and 
maybe  was  so  busy  fixing  up  the  Snuggy  and  the 
stables  that  he  neglected  to  write;  else  why  was 
he  so  long  delayed? 

The  March  days  seemed  wrestling  indeed;  one, 
almost  balmy,  would  be  followed  by  another  when 
the  elements  seemed  to  wish  to  atone  for  leaving 


196  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

the  grim,  stern  old  winter.  Roma  and  her  school 
friends,  however,  took  nature  in  all  her  moods, 
loving  the  freedom  she  afforded  them.  To-day 
had  been  the  sunniest  of  all  since  the  blithe  In- 
dian Summer  days  had  passed  from  off  the  land. 

The  girls  had  planned  a  tramp,  to  gather,  as 
they  said,  the  aftermath  of  the  pink  and  white 
arbutus.  They  had  enjoyed  a  long  walk  and  with 
a  goodly  amount  of  the  perfumed  flowers  were  re- 
turning to  their  dormitory,  when  a  young  man, 
red  faced  and  with  unkempt  appearance,  prepared 
to  pass  them,  at  the  same  time  exclaiming,  "  Ah, 
Cousin  Roma,  is  it  indeed  you ! " 

The  suddenness  of  Ben's  appearance  was  a 
shock  to  Roma,  while  not  only  did  she  not  deign 
to  return  his  salutation,  but  shrank  away  from 
the  contact,  as  if  he  had  been  some  evil  thing. 
As  for  her  companions,  their  questions  and 
glances  were  many,  to  the  great  mortification  of 
the  girl.  The  gladness  and  cheer  seemed  to  die 
from  the  day  for  her,  and  even  with  her  arms 
linked  to<  her  dear  school  friends  a  something 
seemed  to  envelop  her,  a  nameless  dread,  of  some 
one  —  could  it  be  of  her  Cousin  Ben? 


CHAPTER  XXX 

Several  days  had  passed  since  Roma  had  been 
so  suddenly  and  rudely  accosted  by  her  kinsman. 
That  such  a  relationship  existed  brought  to  her 
the  first  humiliation  she  had  ever  known.  To  be 
sure,  her  Broth  was  not  a  city-bred  lad,  nor  had 
she  herself,  when  she  had  first  joined  the  girls 
in  her  now-beloved  school,  been  familiar  with  their 
ways,  but  neither  her  Broth  nor  herself  had  ever 
been  the  cause  for  a  trace  of  aloofness  from  any 
as  she  had  been  subjected  to  the  past  few  days. 

To  be  sure,  some  of  the  girls  seemed  like  their 
dear  old  selves,  but  even  they  were  huddled  to- 
gether at  times,  seeming  to  give  attention  to  the 
others  who  assumed  an  atmosphere  of  superiority 
whenever  Roma  joined  them.  At  first  she  could 
not  understand  it.  Hardly  crediting  the  fact 
that  a  difference  was  creeping  in,  which  would  en- 
circle her  with  its  odiousness.  By  degrees  she  be- 
came conscious  that  a  change  had  come  in  the 
relationship  she  had  always  borne  with  all  her 
schoolmates.  With  the  knowledge,  also,  came  the 
leering  face  and  familiar  tones  of  Ben,  as  he  had 
saluted  her  as  Cousin  Roma.  Just  why  she 
should  be  obliged  to  be  censured  because  he  was 
her  kith,  she  did  not  see;  although,  try  as  she 
would,  the  mere  remembrance  of  his  bold,  suave 
197 


198  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

face  brought  a  shameful  tinge  of  color  to  her  face. 

A  new  experience  befell  the  girl,  a  wondering 
just  what  she  should  do.  Oh,  if  Dr.  Moulton  were 
only  where  she  could  tell  her  of  her  need!  Per- 
haps she  had  best  not  notice  it;  perhaps  they 
would  soon  forget  the  shameful  fellow,  as  she  was 
striving  to  do.  Surely  she  would  not  be  disre- 
garded for  others'  doings. 

Several  days  more  passed,  while  the  manner  of 
the  girls  remained  the  same ;  all  friendly,  but  bear- 
ing an  aloofness  which  was  keenly  apparent. 
Roma  felt  that  her  heart  was  indeed  being  slowly 
crushed,  and  determined  to  seek  the  room  where 
several  of  her  especial  little  set  congregated  for 
their  evening  respite,  and  there  put  the  matter  be- 
fore them  in  her  frank,  sweet  manner,  asking 
them  for  their  loyalty  to  her  again.  She  had 
about  reached  the  door,  through  a  long,  partially 
lighted  corridor,  when  she  heard  her  name  spoken, 
and  by  one  who  usually  associated  with  her  set  of 
girls.  She  was  about  to  proceed  and  announce 
herself,  when  the  words — 

"  Yes,  she  pretended  not  to  see  him,  least  of  all, 
know  him ;  but  I  notice  she  came  home  with  him  at 
not  an  early  hour  the  other  evening ;  very  queer." 

"  Well,  you  see,  she  never  was  nor  has  been  quite 
our  sort,"  returned  another  voice  Roma  had  long 
loved  as  her  own. 

Feeling  that  just  to  get  back  to  her  room  was 
all  she  desired,  she  was  about  to  return,  when 
another  beloved  voice  fell  on  her  listening  ear. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  199 

"  To  think  of  you  girls  speaking  of  Roma  like 
this !  The  girl  we  have  all  been  so  proud  of, 
and  so  glad  to  have  with  us  always.  I  do  not 
know  whether  he  is  her  cousin  or  not,  but  one 
thing  I  do  know.  Roma  Anderson  is  a  good, 
sweet  girl,  and  I  refuse  to  hear  another  word. 
Good  night." 

With  fleetest  feet  Roma  sped  down  the  long 
passageway  and  sought  her  room,  while  the  keen- 
est pain  she  had  ever  known  came  like  a  great 
heavy  weight  to  her.  Closing  her  door,  she  went 
to  the  open  window  and  kneeling  there  tried  to. 
quiet  her  beating  heart  and  throbbing  temples. 

What  could  they  mean,  those  girls,  whom  she 
had  always  loved  and  trusted?  Could  it  be  pos- 
sible they  did  not  believe  he  —  Ben  —  was  her 
cousin,  because  she  had  refused  to  notice  him  and 
speak  to  him,  when,  as  they  said,  she  had  gone 
out  with  him?  Ah,  the  worse;  if  they  only  knew 
him  as  she  felt  now  that  she  did,  what  would  they 
say? 

How  long  she  knelt  there  she  did  not  know. 
The  cool  air  seemed  like  a  sympathizing  friend  as 
it  gently  caressed  her. 

Once  she  had  been  conscious  of  a  soft  rap  at  her 
door,  while  the  voice  which  had  so  lately  befriended 
her  called  softly,  "  Roma,  Roma,"  but  to  Roma 
it  seemed  like  a  far-away  summons,  one  to  which 
she  could  not  reply.  Finally  chilled  and  heartsick, 
Roma  undressed  and  crept  into  her  bed,  where 
after  a  long  wakefulness  she  fell  into  a  troubled 


200  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

sleep,  in  which  the  leering  face  of  her  Cousin  Ben 
held  prominent  place. 

The  next  morning  the  girl  was  really  ill,  too  ill 
to  leave  her  bed.  An  unusual  event  in  her  health- 
ful life;  a  slight  fever  and  a  deep  depression  were 
upon  her.  Toward  evening  feeling  a  little  more 
like  the  real  Roma,  she  determined  to  take  her 
place  at  tea  with  the  girls.  With  much  care  she 
dressed,  even  adding  her  beloved  scarlet  touch  at 
throat  and  waist.  With  heart  beating  fast  and 
faster  she  was  about  to  leave  her  room,  when  a 
violent  and  unrestrainable  burst  of  weeping  mas- 
tered her,  and  again  she  crept  back  to  bed,  where 
her  kind  teacher  found  her  some  little  time  later. 
With  pleasant  words  and  assurances  that  she  would 
surely  be  all  right  the  following  day,  she  left 
her,  sending  in  a  daintily  arrayed  tray  of  tea 
viands. 

A  friendly  call  before  their  bedtime,  from  sev- 
eral of  the  girls,  did  much  for  the  lonely  girl.  But 
bright  as  she  appeared  to  be,  a  sadness  she  had 
never  felt,  even  when  in  her  mountain  home, 
seemed  to  envelop  her,  and  even  when  they  had 
bidden  her  a  gay  good  night,  somehow  the  gloom 
did  not  lift  from  over  her. 

The  next  day  she  joined  her  classes,  noting  still 
a  goodly  amount  of  estrangement.  Toward  the 
latter  part  of  the  afternoon  she  felt  she  must  have 
companionship ;  such  companionship  as  she  felt 
was  true,  which,  when  tested,  she  still  knew  would 
be  loyal.  After  a  brisk  walk,  not  wholly  enjoyed, 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  201 

as  she  almost  feared  a  recurrence  of  the  greet- 
ing of  the  other  day,  she  reached  her  dear  old 
friend's  home  and  was  ushered  into  his  studio. 
Rising  with  almost  deference,  he  greeted  his  girl 
friend,  immediately  commenting  upon  her  looking 
a  bit  wan,  continuing,  "  But  never  mind,  Roma, 
the  weeks  will  soon  speed  by  and  you  will  be  back 
to  your  beloved  mountains  and  pines ;  then  the 
tints  will  visit  those  cheeks  again." 

"  Yes,  my  dear  kind  friend,  it  will  be  like  a 
pilgrim's  return  to  his  shrine.  How  I  wish  you 
could  see  our  gem-like  lakes  and  breathe  our  pine- 
scented  air!  I  shall  miss  our  dear  talks,  but  I 
shall  take  something  back  with  me  that  no  money 
could  ever  buy;  the  love  for  my  art,  made  doubly 
so  by  the  kind  interest  and  instruction  I  have 
gleaned  from  you.  It  was  wise  for  me  to  come, 
I  feel  that  now;  I  can,  if  needs  be,  earn  a  liveli- 
hood, and  you  see,  while  I  have  my  dear  Broth, 
still  it  will  be  pleasant  to  know  I  can  some  time 
help  him,  as  he  has  done  so  much  for  me.  But, 
dear  friend,  I  am  not  so  sure  but  it  is  wise  for 
me  to  go  back  to  my  stanch  mountains,  now — " 

"  Roma,  child,  what  are  you  saying?  What  is 
the  trouble  with  my  little  artist,  to-day?  Never 
have  you  seemed  like  this  before.  Tell  me,  your 
old  friend,  my  child;  for  it  grieves  me  keenly  to 
see  you  so  dispirited,"  and  here  the  grand  old 
gentleman's  face  grew  questioning,  the  mood  was 
so  unlike  Roma. 

"  Yes,  I  will  be  frank  with  you.     I  came  here, 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

for  I  felt  that  there  would  always  be  a  welcome 
here  for  me  and  —  I  —  I  need  it  sorely." 

No  tears  came  to  the  girlish  eyes,  but  a  sad- 
ness, keenly  apparent,  settled  over  the  young  face 
as  she  continued,  "  But  I  will  not  speak  of  the 
cause  of  my  grief  to-night ;  it  may  be  brighter  for 
me  by  the  morrow.  But  I  did  feel  that  I  must 
see  you  and  feel  your  kindly  interest  in  me.  It  has 
done  me  a  world  of  good.  Ah,  my  friend,  stanch- 
ness  is  indeed  a  great  balm,  when  it  encircles  and 
enfolds  those  dear  to  one.  When  I  hear  the  breeze 
singing  through  my  beloved  pines,  I  shall  liken 
the  brave  stanch  things  to  you,  my  dear  kind 
friend." 

"  Roma,  dear  child  that  you  are,  if  I  have  been 
any  comfort,  any  help  to  you,  I  thank  my  heavenly 
Father  for  it.  Thank  Him  also  that  I  have  been 
permitted  the  companionship  of  one  like  yourself 
—  good,  true  and  unselfish.  You  have  brought 
much  happiness  into  an  old  man's  life  —  more  than 
you  can  ever  know.  But  it  grieves  me  more  than 
I  can  say  to  see  you  in  this  disturbed  condition. 
Perhaps,  as  you  say,  with  to-morrow's  light  and 
cheer  you  may  find  your  sorrow  has  vanished  like 
an  unpleasant  dream.  At  least  I  trust  so,  and 
now  I  am  going  to  walk  a  way  with  you,  if  you 
will  kindly  permit  me."  Here  a  smile,  the  first 
that  had  appeared  on  her  white  features,  beamed 
forth ;  a  gladsome  sight  to  her  aged  friend. 

The  conversation  grew  brighter  as  their  walk 
progressed,  until  when  more  than  half-way  to  her 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  203 

dormitory  she  stopped,  assuring  him  he  had  given 
her  a  new  lease  of  life,  also  forbidding  him  to 
walk  any  farther  as  he  had  already  taken  quite  a 
tramp. 

Reluctantly  he  left  her,  but  not  until  he  had 
won  her  promise  to  confide  in  him  if  the  sorrow 
and  the  cause  was  not  removed,  for  he  declared  it 
his  right,  as  her  old  friend,  to  share  it.  Roma 
promised  that  it  should  be  as  he  wished,  did  it 
continue ;  a  sad,  troubled  expression  <again  steal- 
ing for  a  moment  into  her  face. 

The  kind  old  eyes  of  her  companion  noted  the 
wounded  look,  and  as  he  would  have  caressed  his 
own  child,  had  he  had  one,  he  stooped  and  pressed 
his  lips  to  the  brow  of  the  troubled  girl,  saying, 
"  God  care  for  you,  my  dear  child,  and  send  you 
peace."  Long  after  her  retreating  steps  had 
passed  beyond  his  hearing  he  stood,  gazing,  think- 
ing thoughtfully  about  her  —  his  little  artist 
friend. 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

As  for  Roma,  as  she  sped  through  the  freshness 
of  the  early  spring  gloaming,  a  sense  of  rest  and 
quietness  possessed  her,  to  which  she  had  been  a 
stranger  since  the  meeting  with  the  obnoxious  Ben. 
A  spirit  almost  of  forgiveness  even  toward  her  kin 
stole  over  her,  while  ever  and  anon  the  kindly  eyes 
of  her  aged  friend  came  before  her. 

It  was  indeed  a  beautiful  world,  for  it  was  God's 
world.  As  to  communion  with  such  natures  as  her 
kind  friend,  who  radiated  his  love  so  clearly  that 
it  brought  all  who  came  within  its  radiance  into 
harmony  with  the  created;  how  she  thanked  her 
heavenly  Father  for  such  a  friend,  she  alone  knew. 

As  she  approached  the  large  house,  which  she 
had  called  home  now  for  so  many  months,  even 
the  lights  twinkling  forth  from  many  a  window 
seemed  silently  to  bid  her  a  kindly  welcome  back 
to  its  safe  shelter.  She  entered  with  a  renewed 
spirit  to  bear  and  forbear,  even  though  she  felt  a 
most  unjust  criticism  had  been  passed  upon  her. 

The  next  few  days  seemed  to  bring  a  partial 
reconciliation  from  the  girls.  It  was  evident 
some  stanch  ones  were  doing  their  utmost  to  oblit- 
erate the  new  comments  regarding  her,  as  beneath 

their  notice  and  as  untrue.     As  for  Roma,  it  was 
204 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  205 

still  very  trying,  but  she  had  determined  not  to 
return  to  her  first  keen  agony  of  mind  at  any  cost, 
while  the  love  and  sympathy  from  a  pair  of  faded 
eyes  helped  much  in  her  dire  need. 

Eagerly  she  watched  each  mail,  wishing  so 
deeply  for  some  word  from  the  Broth,  her  dear 
one.  The  third  morning  after  her  visit  to  the  aged 
artist  a  letter  was  passed  to  her  at  the  same  time 
many  of  her  classmates  received  theirs.  With  a 
pleased  flush  of  happiness  she  received  hers,  think- 
ing of  none  but  the  Broth,  and  feeling  his  near- 
ness. To  her  amazement  and  disappointment  the 
writing  was  unknown  to  her,  and  still  as  she  ex- 
amined it  more  closely,  it  seemed  a  bit  familiar. 
It  was  written  in  a  large  scrawly  hand  and  was 
simply  addressed  to  Roma  Anderson,  evidently 
the  prefix  being  not  known  or  admitted. 

For  a  few  moments  Roma  seemed  confused,  then 
curiosity  getting  the  best  of  her,  she  started  to 
open  the  soiled  missive,  but  stopped,  for  like  a 
warning  something  seemed  to  hold  her,  while  a 
vision  of  Ben,  her  oily  cousin,  sprang  before  her. 
Could  it  be  from  him?  If  so,  what  could  he  pos- 
sibly have  to  say  to  her?  Wishing,  still  almost 
dreading,  to  learn  its  contents,  she  decided  to  wait 
until  she  should  go  to  her  room ;  for  under  the  eyes 
of  the  many  girls  surrounding  her,  even  though 
they  were  for  the  most  part  busily  engaged  in 
their  correspondence,  she  did  not  think  it  the  place 
for  her  to  learn  of  her  new  and  strange  one. 

With  a  feeling  almost  like  a  culprit,  she  hid  the 


206  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

untidy  looking  letter  in  the  bodice  of  her  dress. 
Not  for  some  time  did  she  have  the  leisure  scarcely 
to  think  of  it,  as  a  lesson  period  was  in  session. 
Her  task  completed,  she  determined  to  learn  its 
contents. 

Alone  in  her  little  room,  she  hastily  tore  open 
the  message.  Yes,  her  intuition  was  correct.  It 
began,  "  Dear  Cousin  Roma."  It  was  from  Ben, 
for  to  none  other  was  she  cousin.  With  a  feeling 
of  greatest  repugnance,  the  girl  for  an  instant  de- 
clared she  would  not  even  read  his  odious  letter; 
then  the  memory  of  what  she  had  suffered  during 
the  past  week  from  her  girl  mates  came  as  a  dark 
cloud  lowering  about  her,  and  she  thought  that 
she  must  be  prepared  to  cope  with  him  for  her 
own  peace  of  mind.  It  was  only  a  short  missive, 
containing  a  few  little  lines,  but  to  Roma  they 
held  the  keenest  agony  she  had  ever  known. 

One  absorbing  thought  passed  through  her  men- 
tality, "  and  I  believed  the  other,  the  slurs  from 
the  girls,  trouble ;  while  here  the  Broth  was  — " 
merciful  heaven!  could  it  be  possible  that  she  had 
even  so  much  as  allowed  the  meaning  of  the  word 
to  enter  her  consciousness.  If  so,  God  forgive 
her !  For  no  breath  of  it  was  true ;  nor  was  her 
Broth  the  vile  thing  Ben's  letter  said,  for  even  the 
accusation  was  untrue  and  it  was  only  one  of  Ben's 
trickeries  to  gain  an  added  interview  with  her,  but 
he  never  should,  of  that  she  was  determined. 

Examining  the  written  words  more  minutely,  she 
ended  in  a  half -mirthless  laugh,  "  Why,  to  think  of 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  207 

even  crediting  those  words.  It  was  most  likely  he, 
himself,  did  not  even  know  the  import  of  the  mes- 
sage." For  by  the  chirography,  Roma  felt  as- 
sured, he  had  been  under  the  influence  of  strong 
drink,  as  his  words  were  run  together,  making  sev- 
eral almost  unintelligible  ones. 

"  He  had  written,"  he  said,  "  to  inform  his  high 
and  mighty  cousin,  that  her  brother  was  a  thief; 
that  she  could  learn  all  particulars  by  writing 
Miss  Nina  Wentworth,  Los  Angeles,  California, 
she  being  the  lady  whose  jewels  he  had  stolen." 

Oh,  why  had  he  ever  come  to  them  in  their 
mountain  home?  She  had  never  liked  him,  nor  had 
Joe;  as  for  her  Broth,  he  had  been  the  only  one 
who  had  made  him  welcome,  and  now,  for  some 
unheard  of  reason,  he  had  dealt  him  this  blow,  or 
tried  to ;  for  that  was  all  his  bravado  and  untruth 
would  succeed  in  doing.  If  the  girls  should  ever 
hear  of  this  new  disgrace  —  but  they  never,  never 
should.  Still  what  could  she  do?  If  he  had 
started  such  a  terrible  story  from  his  own  cruel, 
wicked  heart,  was  he  not  capable  of  any  act? 

A  rap  on  her  door  came  like  a  far-distant  mes- 
sage, to  be  followed  by  the  voice  of  one  of  her 
mates,  saying  her  artist  friend  was  in  the  reception 
room  and  wished  to  see  her.  Thrusting  the  ven- 
omously worded  letter  back  into  its  hiding-place, 
she  sought  her  aged  friend.  Eagerly  he  scanned 
her  features,  as  she  placed  her  hand  in  his,  while 
for  an  instant  she  thought  then  and  there  to  con- 
sult him  regarding  her  obnoxious  correspondent, 


208  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

but  a  feeling  of  disloyalty  to  that  brother  in  even 
repeating  such  an  accusation  seemed  to  pass  so 
strongly  over  her  that  she  could  not  and  did  not 
as  much  as  mention  it ;  but  instead,  sunned  her- 
self in  the  dear  companionship  offered  so  unspar- 
ingly to  her,  almost  forgetting  for  the  time  any- 
thing but  the  happiness  she  always  enjoyed  while 
in  his  presence. 

After  a  little  he  declared  he  must  not  tarry 
longer;  that  he  would  like  some  sketches  he  had 
loaned  her.  The  scrutinizing  looks  he  had  man- 
aged to  give  Roma  seemed  not  to  satisfy  him,  for 
he  felt  that  the  glow  of  perfect  harmony  did  not 
fully  envelop  her  with  its  warmth,  and  as  he 
watched  her  slight,  girlish  figure  as  she  hastened 
to  bring  him  the  articles,  he  found  himself  saying, 
half  aloud,  "  Poor  little  lamb,  she  is  being  tested ; 
of  that  I  feel  assured.  Whatever  it  may  be, 
would  I  might  be  able  to  bear  it  instead !  " 

Little  did  he  dream  that  another  portion  had 
been  added  to  try  the  womanly  girl  he  loved  so 
tenderly.  On  reaching  his  home,  he  immediately 
went  to  the  studio  to  lay  down  his  package,  which 
had  been  but  an  excuse  to  learn  of  his  protege's 
state  of  being.  The  remainder  of  the  evening  he 
busied  himself  with  his  reading,  though  ever  and 
anon  a  troubled  face  would  appear  before  him. 

Meanwhile,  the  subject  of  his  troubled  thoughts 
left  more  or  less  by  herself  began  to  ponder,  then 
dwell  upon  the  contents  of  her  cruel  letter,  while 
the  name  Nina  Wentworth  seemed  ever  present  be- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  209 

fore  her  half-dazed  senses.  By  the  time  she  had 
sought  her  own  room  she  had  even  had  such  a  par- 
tially disloyal  thought  to  her  Broth  enter  her  men- 
tality, as  to  the  possibility  of  there  being  any 
truth  in  such  a  person  existing  as  Miss  Wentworth 
in  Los  Angeles. 

"  Why,  that  is  where  my  precious  bauble  came 
from,"  and  here  Roma  tendered  a  caress  to  the 
gift  she  wore  so  constantly,  still  mentally  com- 
menting upon  the  fact  that  it  should  have  come 
from  the  same  locality  as  this  Nina,  if  such  a  per- 
son resided  there. 

With  thoughts  running  riot  in  her  poor  dazed 
brain,  the  girl  felt  an  irresistible  impulse  again 
to  read  the  unscrupulous  and  untrue  letter  and 
prepared  to  draw  it  from  its  hiding-place.  It 
was  not  there,  no,  nor  in  any  fold  of  her  apparel 
could  it  be  found.  "  What  could  have  become  of 
it?  "  She  was  positive  she  had  placed  it  in  the 
bodice  of  her  dress ;  but  that  did  not  matter,  the 
thing  to  do  was  to  find  it  —  find  it  before  some  one 
of  the  girls  should  learn  more,  for  which  she  must 
innocently  suffer. 

Without  a  thought  of  her  excited  appearance, 
she  hastened  from  one  room  to  another  of  the  girls' 
sanctums,  eagerly  inquiring  relative  to  the  finding 
of  her  letter,  but  no  clew  to  it  did  she  obtain,  an 
added  dart  only  being  added  to  her  troubled  sense 
as  one  of  the  girls  sneeringly  remarked,  "  Sorry, 
Roma;  hope  it  was  not  from  your  charming  rela- 
tive." 


£10  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

Thankful  beyond  words  that  no  one  had  as  yet 
found  it,  yet  dreading  what  the  morrow  would 
bring,  the  troubled  girl  sought  in  sleep  balm  for 
a  time  from  the  trials  she  had  of  late  been  over- 
whelmed with. 

The  next  morning  the  sense  of  weight,  at  first 
hardly  explainable  but  which  of  late  had  greeted 
her  as  she  opened  her  eyes  on  a  new-born  day,  was 
again  on  her,  almost  instantly  to  be  followed  by 
an  instinct  for  her  own  preservation  from  mali- 
cious tongues.  Hurriedly  she  dressed,  her  one 
thought  being  to  find  her  lost  letter  at  any  cost. 
A  loud  rap  on  her  door  sent  the  color  like  a  flame 
into  her  ivory-tinted  cheeks,  to  recede  as  quickly 
as  she  opened  to  find  a  maid  at  her  door  with  a 
letter. 

"  For  me,"  was  all  she  could  command  herself 
to  say,  as  she  almost  snatched  the  silent  thing,  to 
the  wonderment  of  the  servant,  to  whom  she  had 
heretofore  been  most  courteous. 

Once  again  within  the  privacy  of  her  room  she 
hastily  locked  her  door,  thinking  again  to  hide  the 
vicious,  newly  returned  letter,  when  she  saw  that 
not  only  was  it  an  entirely  different  looking  affair, 
as  to  its  neatness,  but  that  it  held  the  clear  bold 
chirography  of  her  artist  teacher.  A  twinge  of 
pain  mingled  with  pleasure  for  the  moment  strug- 
gled for  mastery,  as  she  opened  her  letter,  a  look 
almost  radiant  overspreading  her  features  as  she 
read. 

"  It   must  be   fate,"   she  soliloquized,   "  that   it 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

should  have  gone  to  him,  but  how?  It  must  be 
that  it  slipped  from  my  bodice  and  in  some  way 
fell  in  with  the  sketches  I  returned.  Now  with 
deep  gratitude,  I  feel  it  is  right  for  me  to  confide 
in  my  dear  trusted  friend,  else  why  should  it  have 
come  under  his  notice  in  such  an  unusual  manner. 
He  will  reassure  me;  that  is  worth  all.  And  as 
he  knows  Broth  so  well,  he  will  see  the  absurdity 
of  the  wicked  letter  as  I  do.  At  least,  I  know 
where  it  is,  and  that  none  of  the  girls  have  seen 
it." 

Again  at  the  close  of  the  day  Roma  sought  her 
friend;  this  time  confiding  to  him  all  of  Ben's  in- 
solence to  her,  of  their  meeting,  when  she  had 
simply  ignored  him,  and  lastly  of  the  letter  which 
she  placed  in  his  hands,  adding,  "  Only  think  of 
daring  to  accuse  my  dear  Broth  of  such  a  terrible 
thing!" 

With  a  tender  look  into  the  earnest  face  of  the 
stanch  girl,  the  sympathetic  man  read  of  the  im- 
plied guilt  of  one  so  dear  to  her.  Then  putting 
the  letter  back  in  its  soiled  envelope,  he  crossed  to 
where  Roma  stood  and,  lifting  her  face  to  his,  as- 
sured her  that  he  knew  of  one  thing,  that  whether 
the  accusation  were  true  or  false,  they  knew  that 
as  to  the  truth  of  the  act,  there  was  none;  con- 
tinuing : 

"  But,  Roma,  you  have  just  said,  that  you  have 
not  heard  from  your  brother  for  a  long  time  and 
that  he  has  been  in  California,  even  in  Los  Angeles. 
Now,  dear  child,  I  do  not  want  to  wound  you,  and 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

if  your  Cousin  Ben  has  proved  himself  such  a 
knave  as  he  has  in  your  presence  been,  it  is  no 
doubt  a  trumped-up  story  of  his ;  but  on  the  other 
hand  if  by  any  unforeseen  event,  your  brother 
should  be  in  trouble,  would  you  not,  and  even  I, 
wish  to  know  of  it,  so  that  we  could  render  him  all 
aid  within  our  power?  You  see  it  in  the  light 
that  I  do,  do  you  not,  Roma  child?  " 

For  a  few  moments  as  her  companion  began  to 
speak  seemingly  in  a  half-questioning  manner, 
Roma  felt  the  first  sensation  of  aught  but  deepest 
love  for  her  kind  helper  and  friend  she  had  ever  ex- 
perienced, but  as  she  looked  into  his  almost  saint- 
like face  she  realized  that  all  he  was  uttering  was 
fraught  with  deep  thought  and  was  only  for  her 
brother's  and  her  own  good,  he  was  thus  so  ex- 
pressing himself: 

"  Now,  dear,  I  think  the  best  plan  would  be  for 
me  to  write  this  Miss  Wentworth,  simply  stating 
that  a  rumor  had  reached  me  that  a  lad  whom  I 
knew  had  been  accused  of  stealing  jewels  of  hers; 
that  I  did  not  believe  the  accusation,  to  say  noth- 
ing of  mentioning  the  crime;  but  would  she  kindly 
answer,  should  she  ever  receive  the  letter,  not  being 
sure  as  to  the  authenticity  even  of  her  name.  Do 
you  not  think  it  the  wisest  plan  ?  " 

To  Roma  the  mere  thought  of  the  possibility 
of  her  Broth  needing  help  had  subdued  the  feeling 
of  the  momentary  pain  she  had  felt  when  her  com- 
panion had  suggested  their  acquainting  themselves 
of  the  truth,  in  order  to  be  helpful  to  him.  Now 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

with  his  welfare  vividly  conscious  before  her,  she 
felt  she  could  not  learn  soon  enough  of  the  actual 
untruth  of  it  all,  bidding  her  companion  hasten 
so  their  minds  should  be  at  rest. 

That  night,  as  she  turned  her  steps  again  to- 
ward the  home  she  was  beginning  to  feel  a  sort  of 
aversion  to  entering,  the  bright  shining  stars 
seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  bringing  the  face 
of  her  beloved  Broth  before  her,  while  the  name  of 
Nina,  the  woman  who  Cousin  Ben  said  had  ac- 
cused that  Broth  of  a  felonous  crime,  seemed  ever 
before  her;  but  to  which  accusation  there  was,  she 
knew,  no,  not  even  a  tithe  of  truth. 


CHAPTER  XXXII 

Many  devices  the  fair  Nina  had  employed  to 
call  the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice  to  her  side  during  the 
days  which  followed  the  one  which  had  installed 
Windy  Anderson  as  a  temporary  inmate  in  his 
new  home.  A  feeling  of  unrest,  together  with  one 
of  almost  hatred  toward  the  lad,  possessed  her,  for 
she  felt  by  many  a  remark  from  the  Honorable 
that  unconsciously  the  young  accused  boy  was  find- 
ing a  permanent  and  welcomed  niche  in  the  heart, 
an  access  to  which  she  could  not  seem  to  gain. 
Then,  again,  the  eyes  of  young  Andrews  were  so 
like  the  ones  of  the  girl  whose  picture  occupied 
so  prominent  a  place  in  Allyn  Prentice's  library 
that  it  seemed  almost  an  incident  that  the  lawyer 
did  not  himself  observe  it;  perhaps  he  had.  How 
could  she  be  sure?  In  fact,  it  might  be  the  main 
reason  of  his  friendship  toward  the  lad.  Still  she 
did  not  think  so,  for  he  had  laughingly  remarked 
to  her  one  day  when  she  was  speaking  of  her 
jewels,  in  connection  with  the  lad: 

"  Do  you  know,  young  Andrews  gave  me  quite  a 
start  the  night  be  first  became  an  inmate  of  my 
home.  He  actually  dared  to  believe  that  the  pic- 
ture of  my  lassie,  my  mascot,  was  a  make  believe; 

that  she  really  did  not  exist,  only  in  a  picture." 
214 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  215 

"  Oh,  indeed,"  sounded  from  the  lips  of  the 
beautiful  woman ;  "  and  did  you  inform  him  other- 
wise?" 

"  To  be  sure  I  did,  the  while  thinking  how  sorry 
I  should  be  were  it  as  he  had  believed  it." 

A  half  sneer  sprang  to  the  lovely  mouth  of  his 
companion,  to  be  converted  into  an  amused  laugh, 
while  mentally  she  vowed  he  should  never  learn 
from  her  of  the  nearness  of  the  two.  Also  declar- 
ing to  herself  that  one  who  could  so  cleverly  con- 
duct himself  on  such  an  occasion  was  sly  enough 
for  almost  anything,  even  to  the  stealing  of  her 
rubies. 

Meanwhile  her  counsel  was  doing  all  in  his 
power  to  gain  the  good  graces  of  his  client,  hoping 
and  believing  that  when  the  day  of  the  trial  came 
he  could  wring  from  the  lad  the  whereabouts  of 
the  precious  gems  that  she  seemed  to  deplore  so 
deeply.  That  she  had  drawn  him  to  her  by  the 
subtleness  of  her  loveliness,  he  knew  full  well,  and 
if  it  were  in  his  power  he  would  see  that  the  much- 
beloved  gems  were  again  placed  upon  her  soft, 
white  flesh. 

The  trial,  which  had  been  postponed  once,  was 
now  soon  to  be  held.  Meantime,  he  had  found 
many  an  excuse  for  calling  at  the  Wentworth  resi- 
dence, there  to  bask  in  the  presence  of  its  fasci- 
nating mistress. 

"  Well,  Andrews,  I  think  I  shall  have  to  keep 
you  here  in  California  after  I  clear  you  of  your 
not  prettily  named  guilt,"  remarked  Allyn  Pren- 


216  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

tice,  as  he  entered  his  library  early  one  morning  to 
find  his  temporary  protege  poring  over  a  law 
book,  so  completely  engrossed  that  he  did  not  even 
hear  the  Prince  until  he  stood  beside  him. 

"  I  believe  I  could  even  make  a  lawyer  out  of 
you ;  suppose  you  begin  now  and  fight  your  own 
case," —  and  here  a  hand  was  laid  most  kindly 
on  the  shoulder  of  the  now  standing  Windy. 

"  Would  that  I  could  help  make  it  a  winner  for 
you,  as  well  as  myself,"  returned  the  lad,  a  flash 
of  intense  gratitude  springing  to  his  eyes. 

"  If  it  were  not,"  —  he  had  almost  added,  "  for 
Sis,"  then  quickly  locking  his  heart,  he  had  con- 
tinued — "  for  the  accusation,  I  should  never  have 
known  you,  never  have  known  what  one  would  do 
for  another,  that  which  you  have  done  for  me.  As 
for  remaining  in  California,  I  should  like  nothing 
better;  the  lawyer  part  —  well,  that  seems  pretty 
far  away." 

The  knowledge  the  lad  was  trying  to  glean  from 
the  book  which  he  had  hastily  closed  at  the  en- 
trance of  his  host,  was  none  other  than  of  forgery. 
Ever  since  the  keenness  of  the  sting  to  his  wounded 
pride  had  lightened  a  bit,  the  thought  of  his 
father  had  come  again  and  again  to  haunt  and 
trouble  him,  until  a  ray  of  much  brightness  had 
passed  into  his  soul  as  he  realized  that,  like  him- 
self, he  too  might  have  been  wrongly  accused, 
and  he  determined  that  at  his  first  opportunity  he 
would  himself  ferret  out  the  truth  or  otherwise  as 
to  his  dead  father's  honesty.  From  that  day  a 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  217 

lightness  had  sprung  into  his  heart,  which  even  his 
own  disgrace  could  not  entirely  obliterate.  A 
letter  from  Ned  had  been  given  him  a  few  days 
after  his  leaving  the  hotel,  telling  him  that  it  was 
a  wicked  shame  that  such  an  untruth  should  have 
been  told  of  him,  adding  that  he  should  keep  an 
eye  open,  and  who  knew  but  what  he  would  find  a 
clew ;  also  that  he  wished  he  had  never  coaxed  him, 
and  but  for  that  damn  cousin  of  his  he  never 
should. 

To  Windy,  sympathy  was  comforting,  giving 
him  a  temporary  uplifting ;  nevertheless,  he  passed 
many  an  hour  of  keenest  pain  during  the  lenient 
imprisonment,  for  the  thought  that  any  one  should 
think  he  would  stoop  to  appropriate  aught  that 
did  not  belong  to  him,  was  humiliation  enough. 
He  had  not  even  acquainted  Joe,  big-hearted,  loyal 
Joe,  of  his  plight.  First,  because  he  felt  such  a 
sense  of  wounded  pride  in  letting  his  friend  know 
of  his  disgrace,  and  secondly,  because  he  well 
knew  the  pain  it  would  inflict  on  the  mentality  of 
the  mountain  lad. 

But,  somehow,  as  the  days  passed  away,  he 
thought  more  often  of  Joe,  until  it  seemed  to  him 
that  it  might  be  for  their  mutual  good  that  he 
should  confide  in  him,  even  though  it  caused  added 
suffering  to  them  both,  though  full  well  he  knew 
that  Joe's  loyalty  to  him  would  but  become 
stronger,  for  he  was  indeed  a  friend.  So  it  was 
that  from  a  land  of  fragrance  and  warmth,  a  let- 
ter filled  with  distress  was  sent  to  the  pine-guarded 


218  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

Snuggy  to  fill  a  lonely  boy  with  righteous  anger 
that  any  one  should  have  dared  so  to  stigmatize 
his  dearest  friend. 

As  the  intuition  came  to  Roma  that  Ben  was 
not  a  true  Ben,  so  to  Joe  came  a  premonition  that 
somehow,  some  way  the  oily  suave  Cousin  Ben  was 
at  the  bottom  of  the  whole  affair.  Just  how  it 
could  have  been  consummated,  Joe  could  not  even 
imagine,  much  less  know,  but  the  feeling  of  the 
truth  of  his  presentiment  he  fully  believed;  his 
one  great  comfort  being  that  the  little  Sis  did  not 
dream  of  the  plight  of  her  unhappy  brother. 

Could  he  have  known  of  the  crafty  letters  that 
descended  the  trail  with  the  departure  of  the  last 
member  of  the  Snuggy,  the  trip  would  not  have 
been  made  in  the  calm,  assured  manner  that  it  was. 
It  would  have  been  a  fight  to  the  finish.  From  the 
moment  of  his  receiving  Windy's  letter  it  had 
seemed  to  Joe  that  he  must  go  at  once  to  his  aid. 
The  only  thing  that  restrained  him  had  been 
Windy's  own  wish  that  he  should  remain  the  guard- 
ian of  the  beloved  Snuggy,  for  the  lad  had  written : 

"  The  ponies  need  your  care,  especially  Gypsy. 
She  must  be  kept  at  her  best;  for,  you  know,  this  is 
the  spring  that  Sis  will  go  home.  Then  it  will  soon 
be  time  to  guide  our  tourists  to  our  beloved  lakes;  so, 
Joe,  you  must  represent  the  family;  not  but  that  I 
expect  to  guide,  as  well/'  he  had  added,  "  but  first  my 
honor  must  be  upheld." 

For  Windy  to  wish  was  for  Joe  to  obey,  and 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  219 

while  he  remained  in  the  flesh  he  would  care  for 
the  needs  of  the  ponies,  giving  almost  as  much  at- 
tention to  Glossy  as  to  Roma's  loved  Gypsy.  His 
spirit  seemed  ever  to  be  with  the  boy,  whom  he  so 
longed  to  comfort  and  aid.  His  great  love  for 
Roma  seemed  to  grow  bigger  and  brighter  as  the 
days  brought  the  faintest  trace  of  the  gladsome 
spring.  He  did  not  ask  himself  what  this  love 
would  bring  to  him;  it  seemed  so  gloriously  to  fill 
his  heart  that  he  did  not  even  question  the  end. 
He  only  knew  that,  when  the  assured  spring  days 
had  come  to  remain,  then  to  deepen  into  wondrous 
summer,  she,  his  mountain  queen,  would  be  with 
them,  perhaps  never  to  leave  her  loved  hills  again. 
More  than  that  he  felt  he  had  no  right  as  yet  to 
know. 

To  Windy,  his  answer  was  as  a  prop,  bidding 
him  keep  up  his  grit,  as  was  his  wont.  That  when 
he  returned  to  the  land  of  the  pines,  he  would  soon 
forget  all  except  its  freedom.  Could  he  have 
known  that  a  letter  postmarked  Los  Angeles  and 
carrying  the  dire  news  to  Roma  had  passed  his 
own  to  Windy,  he  would  have  been  filled  with  un- 
speakable sorrow,  but  thus  it  was.  Nina  Went- 
worth  had  received  the  inquiry  relative  to  the  theft 
of  her  jewels  and  had  sent  as  requested  her  an- 
swer, sending  anguish  into  a  trusting  heart  as 
poignant  as  ever  was  sent  by  poisoned  arrow. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 

Roma  had  at  last  consented  to  a  silent  call,  a 
call  to  her  mountains,  her  Snuggy.  For  days  she 
had  battled  with  herself,  trying  to  know  what  was 
best  and  right  for  her  to  do.  For  days  she  had 
half  avoided  meeting  the  eyes  of  her  schoolmates, 
fearing  she  might  find  in  them  a  new  aversion  to 
her.  At  times  it  seemed  almost  as  if  she  must  cry 
out  to  all  that  it  was  a  wicked,  cruel  lie  that  this 
woman,  this  Nina  Wentworth,  had  spoken  of  her 
Broth.  Not  that  any,  save  her  aged  friend,  knew 
of  the  disgrace  that  hung  over  and  about  her  dear 
one;  he,  it  had  been,  who  had  told  her,  oh,  so 
gently,  that  the  accusation  Ben  had  made  was  in- 
deed true  as  far  as  the  charge  was  concerned,  add- 
ing, "  But  we  know,  Roma  child,  that  no  matter 
how  many  such  may  be  spoken  against  him,  he  is 
innocent  of  all  wrongdoing." 

To  the  sorely  tried  and  perplexed  girl  it  seemed 
almost  as  if  God  had  forsaken  her;  that  she  were 
standing  alone  in  the  great  universe,  there  to  battle 
it  out  with  no  earthly  or  divine  will.  Again  and 
again  she  seemed  to  hear  the  wind  sighing  through- 
out the  pines  which  nestled  about  her  home,  telling 
of  the  peace  and  quiet  that  awaited  her,  until  she 

became  possessed  with  such  a  longing  to  be  there, 
220 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

free  from  all  questioning  eyes,  free  from  all  ef- 
forts to  keep  from  bursting  into  a  paroxysm  of 
tears,  that  little  by  little  she  yielded  to  the  sooth- 
ing voice.  Having  once  surrendered,  she  seemed 
to  feel  less  keenly  the  suffering  she  had  endured 
the  past  few  weeks;  still  her  brother's  presence 
seemed  ever  before  her. 

She,  unlike  Joe,  never  even  so  much  as  thought 
of  going  in  person  to  the  one  in  dire  need,  but  in- 
stead wished  to  go  home  to  the  spot  so  dear  to 
them  both,  there  by  her  prayers  and  added  faith 
in  her  Creator,  to  be  ready  to  welcome  him,  that 
dear  one,  when  he  should  come.  When  she  had 
first  declared  her  intention  of  so  doing,  to  her  art- 
ist friend,  he  had  appeared  very  sober,  very  silent, 
but  as  he  read  in  her  wan  face  of  a  determination 
he  till  then  little  realized  she  possessed,  he  knew 
the  time  had  come  when  she  would  have  her  way. 
Of  one  thing  he  was  determined,  that  was,  she 
should  not  take  her  homeward  journey  alone;  but 
of  this  he  did  not  at  first  speak ;  the  right  moment 
had  not  arrived. 

Once  Roma  had  listened  to  the  call,  she  was  all 
haste  to  answer  its  summons.  She  felt  that  had 
Dr.  Moulton  been  there  she  would  have  given  her 
full  consent;  in  her  absence  she  must  act  alone. 
With  a  sense  of  sadness  mingled  with  relief  she 
packed  her  pretty  frocks,  that  her  dear,  kind  bene- 
factress had  taken  so  much  interest  in ;  a  half  smile 
stealing  into  the  girlish  face  as  she  folded  the  out- 
fit she  had  worn  from  her  mountain  home  when 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

she  had  come  to  be  one  of  Dr.  Moulton's  world. 
With  a  loving  pat  she  had  assured  both  the  regalia 
and  herself  that  she  would  not  long  remain  out 
of  it,  when  once  she  could  with  propriety  adorn  it. 

With  much  pride,  which  she  could  not  but  feel, 
she  gathered  together  her  work,  her  art  —  work 
that  had  rightly  merited  much  praise  from  teacher 
and  classmates.  Of  the  inspiration,  hope  and  am- 
bition she  had  woven  in  with  the  lights  and  shad- 
ows, none  knew  but  herself.  At  least  they  were 
hers  and  none  could  take  away  the  joy  she  had 
possessed  when  at  her  beloved  task.  Nor  should 
she  ever  be  the  same  girl  as  when  before  she  had 
learned  to  put  her  fancies  before  her,  to  become  as 
a  living  joy. 

She  had  informed  her  teachers  that  it  was  im- 
perative that  she  should  return  to  her  home,  at 
least,  until  another  fall,  at  which  time  she  could 
better  decide  what  she  would  do.  Her  parting 
from  her  little  room  at  Dr.  Moulton's  home,  and 
with  Betsy,  was  filled  with  sadness,  made  doubly 
so  by  the  absence  of  the  one  who  had  indeed  ever 
made  it  a  home  for  her.  Real  tears  stood  in  Bet- 
sy's round  eyes,  as  she  grasped  Roma's  soft  hands, 
while  the  words  : 

"  I  hope  I  am  doing  as  the  Misses  would  do  in 
letting  you  go  —  but  if  her  old  friend,  the  pro- 
fessor, thinks  it  is  all  for  the  best,  I  spects  it  must 
be.  At  any  rate  I  shall  bake  you  up  a  basket  of 
eatables,  so  to  keep  your  body  and  soul  together. 
Ah,  honey,  you  is  certain  you  is  doing  wise  to  go 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

before  the  doctor  returns?  She  will  miss  you,  for 
sure." 

Roma  reassured  her  by  telling  her  that  it  was 
not  for  herself  alone  she  was  returning  but  to  be  of 
help  and  to  do  her  duty  for  another,  and  that  if 
she  knew  all  she  would  bid  her  do  the  same,  she 
was  sure. 

"  Well,  Miss  Roma,  likewise  you  are  right ;  and 
if  you  must  go,  I  have  a  favor  to  ask  of  you." 

"  Yes,  Betsy,  I  will  grant  it,  if  it  is  in  my 
power,"  returned  the  girl,  wondering  what  wish 
she  desired. 

"  It  is  just  your  flame;  for  to  me  it  seems  like 
a  flash  sent  from  you." 

Here  the  hard,  wrinkled  hand  reached  and 
touched  with  a  half  caress  the  scarlet  tie  which  fell 
from  beneath  the  firm  white  throat.  With  a  laugh 
where  mirth  and  pathos  mingled,  Roma  untied  the 
silky  ornament  and  hung  it  about  the  amazed 
creature's  neck,  bidding  her  think  of  her  often, 
then  adding: 

"  And,  Betsy,  when  you  pray,  think  of  me  then, 
for  I  shall  need  all  good  thoughts  to  help  me." 

"  Yes,  Miss,  that  I  will ;  and,  believe  me,  this 
flame  will  seem  as  if  it  talked  to  me  and  always  of 
you." 

True  to  her  word  Betsy  brought  to  the  dormi- 
tory the  evening  before  Roma's  day  for  departure 
a  goodly  size  basket,  filled  with  her  best  culinary 
successes.  Several  small  broilers  done  to  a  turn, 
with  a  tumbler  of  apple  and  grape  jelly,  rolls  like 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

little  birds,  so  dainty  they  seemed,  her  renowned 
hermits  tucked  in  here  and  there,  while  even  sev- 
eral sugared  crullers  were  given  a  resting  place 
in  the  attractively  arranged  basket.  Such  was 
her  offering  of  love ;  while  to  Roma  it  helped  to 
soften  the  gnawing  at  her  heart,  for  love  does 
gladden  all,  even  if  it  is  from  what  the  world  terms 
the  illiterate. 

The  morning  for  her  departure  dawned  indeed, 
a  spring  morning.  The  air  was  filled  with  subtle 
fragrance,  while  the  bright  blue  sky  smiled  and 
frowned  between  the  April  showers  like  a  girlish 
coquette.  It  had  been  arranged  that  her  artist 
friend  should  call  for  her  with  a  carriage,  thence 
to  accompany  her  to  the  station,  there  to  bid  her 
Godspeed.  And  now  he  had  arrived,  her  good-bys 
had  all  been  said  —  a  little  diffidently  upon  her 
part  to  a  number  of  the  girls  whom  she  had  weeks 
heretofore  believed  her  stanch  friends  for  aye.  A 
few  she  left  with  kisses  warm  upon  her  lips,  mutual 
sorrow  at  the  parting. 

Seated  beside  her  aged  friend,  a  great  wave  of 
loneliness  welled  up  within  her,  giving  utterance 
to  the  words  he  had  so  longed  to  have  her  speak. 
Words  which  showed  her  need  of  a  true  heart  to 
lean  upon  and  which  his  was  yearning  to  be. 

"  How  differently,  oh,  my  kind  friend,  am  I  to 
return  to  my  pine  clad  hills !  Think.  No  Broth, 
no  Dr.  Moulton,  no  one.  Oh,  how  I  wish  you  were 
to  go  with  me !  It  would  seem  then  as  if  one  real 
friend  was  with  me,  and  with  such  everything 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

seems  better,  brighter,  even  if  there  are  dark  clouds 
passing  near." 

"  Roma,  my  child,  what  would  you  say  if  you 
knew  that  at  the  station  is  a  grip  packed  with  my 
simple  belongings,  ready  to  go  with  you  to  your 
mountain  home,  should  you  wish  it,  to  remain  as 
long  as  I  can  in  any  way  be  a  comfort  to  you  ?  " 

A  deep  happy  sob  was  her  sole  answer,  but  the 
hand  that  she  lifted  and  carried  to  her  lips  re- 
turned to  its  owner  wet  with  the  large  tears  which 
fell  from  her  eyes. 

Meantime,  with  a  deep  faith  her  aged  friend  was 
committing  her  to  a  love  above  all  earthly  friends. 
With  almost  interest  Roma  accompanied  the  por- 
ter, as  he  showed  her  companion  his  home-to-be 
for  the  next  two  days,  she  laughingly  claiming 
Betsy's  basket  as  it  was  placed  with  his  belong- 
ings. Her  own  berth  being  near,  she  had  it  placed 
with  her  luggage,  promising  her  aged  friend  that 
he  should  share  equally  with  her  all  of  Betsy's  best 
efforts. 

After  the  first  excitement  of  adjusting  them- 
selves and  their  effects  was  over,  Roma  experienced 
mingled  sensations  —  sorrow,  anticipation,  grati- 
tude, all  entered  her  mentality,  each  to  sway  her 
for  the  time.  Could  it  be  true  that  she  was  really 
headed  for  her  home  among  the  pines  —  true  that 
the  Broth  she  so  longed  to  meet  was  held  pris- 
oner in  the  flower-scented  land  of  California? 
What  would  Joe  think  of  her  coming?  He  would 
learn  it  by  telegram  before  they  reached  the  chalet. 


£26  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

She  would  be  glad  to  see  Joe,  for  it  had  been  a 
long  time;  she  supposed  they  had  both  grown 
older.  Would  he  know  her  —  the  girl  with  her 
lady-like  dresses  and  her  hair  fastened  at  her 
neck?  But  she  would  soon  change  all  that.  Then 
Gypsy.  Oh,  how  she  longed  to  feel  herself  flying 
through  the  spicy  air  upon  the  back  of  her  know- 
ing beast ! 

At  times,  as  she  glanced  at  her  companion  and 
noted  his  calm  grand  face,  gratitude  so  deep  would 
spring  into  her  heart  that  a  moisture  would  start 
to  her  eyes,  often  to  end  in  a  half  caressing  smile 
as  she  caught  his  eye  bent  upon  her.  Together 
they  enjoyed  the  various  scenes  as  they  rapidly 
sped  through  the  changing  landscape.  The  ten- 
der green  of  the  new  spring  carpet,  the  dainty 
blush  upon  the  peach  trees,  the  almost  Italian  blue 
of  the  sky,  all  appealed  most  keenly  to  their  artis- 
tic souls.  Then,  as  all  these  were  left  behind  and 
the  barren  waste  appeared,  Betsy's  basket  of  good 
things  was  duly  appreciated. 

Roma  had  never  forgotten  the  kind  conductor 
who  had  taken  her  under  his  wing  when  she,  a 
half  frightened  creature,  had  been  put  into  his 
charge,  and  had  hoped  she  might  return  home  with 
the  same  genial  one,  but  she  learned  that  he  had 
been  transferred  to  another  route,  one  which  took 
him  into  a  milder  clime. 

"  Yes,  you  must  keep  one  eye  open,  Professor, 
for  Galgary  station  at  night  is  well  worth  seeing. 
You  would  think  you  were  going  to  a  bazaar; 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

then  it  is  a  sort  of  forerunner  of  my  mountains. 
Oh,  my  dear  kind  friend,  I  am  sure  you  will  not 
think  I  have  praised  their  beauty  too  much  when 
you  see  them,  for  you  will  love  them  simply  be- 
cause you  cannot  help  it." 

Roma's  enthusiasm  transmitted  itself  to  her  com- 
panion, who  began  to  feel  a  positive  anticipation 
to  behold  the  foothills,  then  the  trails  and  lastly 
the  sublime  snow-clad  peaks  of  her  native  moun- 
tains. In  the  early  morning  light,  after  the 
brightly  illumined  Calgary  had  been  passed,  he 
began  to  realize  more  than  he  had  deemed  it  possi- 
ble of  the  beauty,  grandeur  and  majesty  of  the 
Rockies.  As  for  the  girl,  her  face  was  enrapt. 
It  was  as  one  re-meeting  a  life-long  friend,  one 
cherished  and  dearly  beloved. 

The  spring  days  were  still  partially  slumbering 
in  this  land  of  snow  and  ice,  but  here  and  there  the 
verdure  was  making  a  brave  fight  for  life  and  free- 
dom from  its  icy  bed.  The  legion  of  pines,  firs 
and  hemlock  seemed  to  straighten  in  recognition 
of  the  gladsome  spring  days,  for  they  had  freed 
themselves  of  their  mantle  of  snow  and  in  so  doing 
felt  that  they  were  helping  to  hasten  the  time  of 
the  appearing  of  the  welcomed  bud  and  blossom. 

Not  until  Roma  stood  on  the  platform  with  the 
stately  glaciers  visible,  all  about  her,  did  she  give 
entire  vent  to  her  ecstasy;  then  with  her  arm 
tucked  into  her  aged  friend's,  she  turned  him 
about,  first  to  view  this  peak,  then  that.  The  air 
was  keen  and  frosty,  but  the  sun  poured  down 


228  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

its  great  glowing  warmth  on  them  and  before  they 
were  hardly  aware  the  closed  wagon  had  drawn 
them  away,  and  was  carrying  them  up  —  up  to 
the  region  of  the  great  chalet,  and  its  priceless 
gem,  the  iridescent  lake. 

With  great  joy  Roma  espied  the  beautiful 
Scotch  collie  which  she  had  petted  many  a  time  as 
with  her  brother  she  had  descended  the  trail  to 
pay  a  brief  visit  to  the  attractive  chalet.  She  had 
written  Joe  that  she  should  be  at  the  keeper's  home 
(a  portion  of  the  chalet)  at  a  certain  day,  and 
should  expect  him  to  meet  her ;  of  her  friend's  com- 
panionship, at  the  time  she  knew  nothing,  and  now 
as  she  silently  watched  the  admiration  that  had 
leaped,  then  to  remain  in  those  thoughtful  eyes, 
she  felt  that  he  was  being  rewarded  by  his  appre- 
ciation of  nature's  wondrous  beauty  for  his  great 
kindness  to  her. 

Again  under  the  porte-cochere,  she  viewed  the 
Victoria  glacier,  towering,  like  the  celestial  guard- 
ian it  was,  over  and  above  its  now  cameo-like  lake. 
Once  more  she  beheld  the  shrine,  one  that  seemed 
to  her  the  purest,  holiest,  she  could  ever  know,  and 
for  moments  her  soul  seemed  to  meet  its  Maker. 
When  she  once  more  felt  the  earthly,  it  was  to  hear 
the  voice  of  Joe,  speaking,  oh,  so  quietly, 

"  Roma,  is  this  really  you  ?  " 

Lifting  her  eyes,  she  gazed  into  those  of  the 
loyal-hearted  Joe,  her  almost  brother,  then  with  a 
quick  impulse  she  reached  up  for  a  kiss  in  greet- 
ing, which  she  received;  but  one  so  quiet,  so  hum- 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

ble,  as  it  was  pressed  upon  her  fair  brow,  as  to 
almost  chill  the  startled  girl.  Only  for  the  mo- 
ment, however,  did  Roma  regard  it.  The  next, 
Joe  was  being  presented  to  her  companion. 

Meanwhile,  the  collie  was  most  ferociously  greet- 
ing the  girl,  barking  and  capering  wildly  about 
her,  as  if  to  make  up  for  Joe's  almost  cold  greet- 
ing. As  for  him,  it  seemed  as  if  he  could  never 
again  move  from  the  place  on  which  he  was  stand- 
ing, such  a  feeling  of  muteness  seemed  to  overpower 
him,  such  coldness  did  he  manifest.  Could  one  have 
felt  his  great  pulsing  heart  as  it  sent  its  throbs  on, 
then  on,  they  would  have  deemed  it  almost  a  mira- 
cle that  he  did  not  cry  aloud  in  his  eagerness,  in- 
stead of  emerging  into  the  silent  being  he  seemed. 

After  a  little  the  spell  seemed  broken,  but  not 
until  the  professor,  who  like  Dr.  Moulton  had 
learned  the  young  man's  secret,  had  sought  to  put 
him  at  his  ease  did  he  seem  like  the  Joe  of  former 
days.  No  word  was  spoken  either  of  Windy  or 
Ben,  Roma  thinking  it  best  to  wait  until  they 
were  safely  up  the  trail  and  home  in  their  own 
Snuggy. 

At  last  Joe's  tongue  was  loosed,  and  he  was  in- 
deed Joe.  Gypsy  and  Scotty,  he  informed  her, 
were  at  the  rear  of  the*  chalet,  adding  that  they 
were  full  of  life,  and  he  thought  it  best  to  leave 
them  there. 

It  did  not  take  Roma  long  to  speed  to  her  own 
Gypsy,  and  who  shall  say  dumb  creatures  have  no 
minds,  for,  as  the  collie,  so  the  pony  knew  it  was 


230  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

indeed  she,  the  girl  Roma.  Caress  after  caress  she 
vouchsafed  the  knowing  creature,  then  untying 
her,  she  leaped  on  her  back,  sitting  side-saddle 
until  she  should  have  donned  her  togs,  then  giving 
her  the  rein,  she  appeared  down  the  drive  before 
the  eyes  of  the  waiting  ones. 

Meantime,  Joe  had  proposed  a  plan  of  ascend- 
ing the  trail,  one  which  would  make  the  ascent 
most  easy  for  the  new-comer,  and  one  which  he  had 
employed  before.  The  sparkle  in  Roma's  eyes  and 
the  color  in  her  heretofore  pale  cheeks  seemed  even 
to  cause  the  professor  to  appear  years  younger 
than  upon  the  day  of  their  starting  for  their 
lengthy  trip;  while  Joe's  eyes  seemed  riveted  to 
her  flashing  face. 

Some  little  time  later  a  curious  procession  began 
the  ascent ;  Roma  having  gotten  into  her  buckskins, 
though  still  wearing  her  jaunty  little  Eastern  tur- 
ban, for  want  of  a  place  to  seclude  it ;  the  pro- 
fessor, seated  in  a  sort  of  box  affair  fastened  upon 
a  low  dray;  Joe  leading  Scotty,  to  whose  harness 
the  crude  sedan  chair  had  been  fastened.  Again 
up  the  trail  the  mountain  girl  passed,  the  cool  air 
filling  her  veins  like  new  wine,  her  heart  longing 
yet  dreading  to  reach  the  Snuggy,  for  her  Broth 
would  not  be  there.  Then,  as  if  to  repay  her  kind 
companion  for  his  great  sacrifice  in  coming  with 
her,  as  well  as  to  bring  a  happy  smile  to  Joe's 
frank  face,  Roma  would  hallo,  her  voice  sounding 
like  a  clarion  call.  Joe's  attention  was  thus  di- 
vided between  his  solicitation  for  the  comfort  of 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

Roma's  guest  and  his  desire  not  to  miss  a  gesture 
of  the  girl  he  so  deeply  loved. 

Few  real  traces  of  spring  they  saw  as  they 
climbed  the  shaded  trail,  still  the  marks  of  winter 
had  nearly  passed  and  they  knew  it  would  not  be 
long  now  before  it  would  also  be  spring  with  them 
in  this  mountainous  land.  Gypsy  many  times  sent 
forth  a  glad  whinny,  to  be  answered  by  her  rider 
as  well  as  the  other  pony,  each  time  sending  a  pang 
to  the  heart  of  the  brave  girl,  as  it  brought  before 
her  the  absent,  beloved  face  of  him  she  so  yearned 
to  meet. 

And  so  they  reached  the  summit  of  the  trail, 
reached  the  Snuggy  Roma  had  seen  in  her  waking 
and  sleeping  dreams  many  times  since  she  had  left 
it  to  become  an  inmate  of  Dr.  Moulton's  world. 
And  now,  quicker  than  Joe,  she  had  slipped  from 
her  saddle  and  was  standing  with  outstretched 
hands  to  welcome  her  tried  friend  to  the  home  of 
her  girlhood. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV 

A  week  had  already  sped  by  since  Roma  together 
with  her  artist  friend  had  become  inmates  of  the 
Snuggy  amid  the  mountains.  To  the  girl  the 
freedom  she  was  beginning  to  enjoy  was  very  blest, 
for  she  had  been  under  such  trying  surveillance 
for  some  time  previous  that  now  to  have  escaped 
from  critical  glances  was  a  great  relief. 

That  her  heart  was  very  sad  and  cast  down,  both 
her  companions  could  plainly  see,  and  each  in  his 
different  way  strove  to  cheer  and  uplift  her.  With 
Joe  she  had  taken  several  rides,  had  again  visited 
some  of  her  beloved  haunts,  although  many  were 
still  hardly  accessible,  as  the  winter  longed  to 
tarry  still  a  bit. 

The  first  evening  of  their  arrival  and  after  the 
tea  things  had  been  cleared  away,  Roma  with  true 
womanly  thoughtfulness  strove  to  create  an  atmos- 
phere of  gladsome  home  cheer.  Many  a  little  pat 
here  and  there  converted  the  immaculate  room  into 
a  most  habitable  abode.  The  couch  was  drawn  a 
trifle  nearer  the  blazing  log  fire  which  had  greeted 
them  at  their  first  arriving,  having  been  laid  ready 
to  do  its  share  to  welcome,  and  which  Joe  soon 
had  sputtering  and  sparkling  for  their  comfort 

and  appreciation. 

232 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  233 

Again  now  she  sent  the  light  to  Joe's  eyes  with 
comments  always  of  praise  for  the  care  and 
thoughtfulness  with  which  he  had  kept  the  Snuggy, 
admiring  the  many  new  skins  which  had  been 
added  during  her  absence  and  which  Joe  had  glo- 
ried in  providing,  as  he  knew  they  would  dress  up 
the  Snuggy  for  Roma's  returning. 

As  the  evening  had  advanced  all  thought  of  the 
one  who  was  separated  from  them  by  so  many 
miles,  still  no  mention  had  as  yet  been  made  of 
him.  Suddenly  Roma,  who  had  been  keeping  very 
quiet  for  some  time,  exclaimed: 

"  Joe,  my  true  friend,  I  am  sure  you  must  think 
it  very  unlike  me  not  to  mention  the  absence  of 
my  beloved  Broth.  The  fact  is,  I  did  not  feel  on 
entering  my  long-abandoned  home  as  if  I  could  at 
once  lay  bare  to  you  the  real  reason  of  my  sudden 
return;  but,  Joe,  while  I  know  the  untruth  of  all 
I  have  been  forced  to  learn  relative  to  that  dear 
one,  I  felt  it  impossible  longer  to  remain  away 
from  the  home  so  dear  to  me,  also  feeling  that  I 
should  be  here  at  my  post  when  that  brother  re- 
turned to  me." 

Before  she  had  half  finished  her  confession  as  to 
the  truth  of  her  home-coming,  Joe  was  on  his  feet 
and  had  advanced  so  that  he  stood  beside  her,  while 
with  great  tenderness  he  laid  his  large  firm  hand 
on  her  shoulder  and  a  look  stole  into  his  eyes  tell- 
ing of  a  love  which  would  willingly  spare  her  all 
suffering  were  it  in  his  power.  He  then  bade  her 
not  to  pain  herself  further,  as  he  knew  from 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

Windy's  own  letter  that  very  week  of  the  trouble 
to  him  to  which  she  referred  and  that  he  had  half 
surmised  when  receiving  her  letter  that  she  also 
was  acquainted  with  the  vile  slander. 

On  learning  of  her  Broth's  letter  and  how  he 
had  confided  all  to  Joe,  Roma  felt  more  than  before 
that  this  loyal-hearted  lad  was  indeed  an  almost 
brother  to  her,  and  with  great  eagerness  she  sought 
him  to  allow  her  to  read  the  letter  he  had  received 
from  the  absent  one. 

With  much  pity  in  his  heart  for  the  great  hon- 
est fellow,  the  professor  turned  his  eyes  away,  but 
not  until  he  had  noted  the  perceptible  start  he  had 
made  as  the  words,  "  Joe,  my  almost  brother,"  had 
fallen  from  Roma's  troubled  lips. 

Windy's  letter,  Roma  read  aloud ;  to  be  followed 
by  renewed  assuring  from  her  companions,  by  their 
words  of  courage  and  cheer  bidding  her  feel  that 
all  must  soon  be  well  with  that  far  distant  one. 

From  that  evening  Roma  determined  to  fill  her 
position  as  hostess,  covering  her  sad  heart  by  try- 
ing to  give  joy  to  the  members  of  her  household. 
While  much  as  they  appreciated  her  efforts  and 
sunned  themselves  in  her  smiles,  they  were  neither 
blind  nor  unconscious  of  her  efforts,  which  at  times 
seemed  beyond  her  strength,  so  sad  she  appeared. 

The  little  trunk  which  Joe  had  so  proudly  loaned 
her  had  returned  again  up  the  trail,  together  with 
another,  this  one  Roma's  own,  in  which  many  of 
her  sketches  were  carefully  packed.  With  warm 
welcome  she  received  them,  keen  pleasure  resting  on 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  235 

her  face  as  she  drew  this  one,  then  that,  from  its 
wrappings. 

Joe  it  had  been  who  had  brought  them  on  his 
dray  from  the  chalet  where  they  had  been  taken  by 
the  stage,  and  now  Joe  it  was  who  stood  gazing 
almost  speechless  as  one  by  one  he  viewed  scenes 
and  faces  which  seemed  to  him  from  another  land. 
As  for  the  girl,  she  was  again  living  over  the  pe- 
riod of  her  sojourn  from  the  mountain  home  as  she 
viewed  her  work.  At  last  she  came  to  the  sketch 
of  her  Broth,  while  with  wonder  and  curiosity  she 
waited  to  hear  what  Joe  would  say  as  the  familiar 
face  of  the  lad  seemed  to  smile  back  at  them,  as 
she  held  it  out  to  view. 

Expecting  to  hear  some  remark  from  her  com- 
panion, she  waited ;  but  none  came  to  her  eager  ear. 
With  a  half-puzzled  look  she  turned,  to  find  Joe 
literally  staring  into  the  pictured  face  of  the  lad 
Windy,  his  own  face  bearing  the  same  look  it  had 
held  when  he  had  stooped  and  kissed  her  forehead 
the  day  of  their  first  meeting.  With  solicitation 
Roma  had  exclaimed : 

"  What  is  it,  Joe?     Are  you  faint,  or  ill?  " 

At  the  sound  of  her  voice,  the  great  stalwart 
fellow  had  pulled  himself  together,  though  he 
evaded  her  question,  still  keeping  his  gaze  on  the 
features  of  his  boy  comrade,  then  turning  to  the 
girl  he  had  almost  breathed,  "  It  is  wonderful." 

From  that  day  Joe  had  seemed  preoccupied,  for 
his  mind  was  troubled.  The  aged  artist  saw  the 
struggle  that  was  going  on  in  the  honest  lad's  con- 


236  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

sciousness  and  grieved  for  him,  for  he  knew  full 
well  that  the  girl  he  so  passionately  loved  would 
never  be  happy  as  the  wife  of  the  mountain  lad. 
He  also  knew  that  she  had  never  for  a  moment  re- 
garded him  save  as  her  almost  brother,  as  she  had 
called  him.  A  few  days  after  the  unpacking  of  her 
portfolio  and  colors,  Roma  had  been  possessed  to 
use  her  paints  again. 

She  had  been  unusually  sad  and  disheartened 
the  entire  morning,  for  thoughts  had  entered  her 
mentality  which  had  seemed  to  bear  her  down. 
What  if  her  Broth  should  not  be  proved  innocent ; 
what  would  become  of  her  as  well  as  himself? 
True,  she  knew  he  was  innocent,  but  if  he  could 
not  prove  it  so  to  the  world,  what  then?  More 
than  once  she  had  resolved  to  write  to  this  Nina, 
whoever  she  might  be,  and  implore  her  to  free  the 
lad  from  the  wicked  accusation. 

To-day,  somehow  it  seemed  to  her  that  her 
Broth  needed  her  presence  to  comfort  him  and  to 
cheer.  Seeking  her  room  she  was  soon  lost  in 
deep  meditation,  going  over  in  her  mind  many 
things  which  had  troubled  her  during  the  past  few 
weeks,  until  she  felt  that  indeed  aid  came  from  the 
power  of  One  "  whom  eye  hath  not  seen  nor  ear 
heard." 

Shifting  her  thoughts  she  seemed  to  commune 
with  the  great  Power,  while  a  feeling  of  deep  peace 
stole  over  her,  comforting  her  by  its  very  nearness. 
After  a  little  she  rose,  putting  a  fresh  canvas  on 
the  board  which  rested  on  her  easel,  then  with  her 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  237 

colors  began  to  prepare  her  pallet.  Color  for  her 
had  now  become  as  friends,  companionable  in  her 
loneliness.  Now  with  their  alluringness  before  her 
she  took  from  one,  then  another,  forming  a  soft 
grayish  background,  seeming  like  soft  fleecy  clouds. 

Suddenly  there  seemed  to  come  to  her  senses  a 
feeling  that  she  might  perhaps  aid  her  Broth ;  very 
little  she  knew  of  law,  but  she  did  know  that 
money  was  most  necessary.  Why  should  she  not 
strive  with  her  talent  to  gain  some  for  him  who 
was  now  unable  to  win  it  for  her?  With  thoughts 
passing  as  fleetly  before  her  as  the  colors  beneath 
her  hand,  came  the  vision  of  a  woman,  such  a  one 
as  she  felt  the  one  to  be  who  had  accused  her  Broth 
of  taking  her  gems.  Women  of  society  and  fash- 
ion she  .had  seen,  women  with  their  soft,  clinging 
loveliness,  bedecked  with  color  and  laces,  their 
rounded  necks  and  arms  caressed  by  gems  priceless 
as  well  as  radiant.  They  were  women  of  another 
world  than  Dr.  Moulton's,  women  for  the  most 
part  given  only  to  their  own  gratification  or  to 
elicit  envy  or  comment  from  others  seemingly  less 
fortunate. 

Her  dear  benefactress  had  given  her  a  glimpse 
of  such  life  which  she  in  her  busy  career  had  little 
time  to  partake  of.  At  the  opera,  in  particular, 
Roma  had  caught  gleams  of  loveliness  which  had 
held  her  spellbound.  Of  such  as  these  she  felt  this 
Nina  Wentworth  to  be.  Boldly  her  stroke  passed, 
then  repassed,  on  the  canvas,  until  a  woman's  face 
and  figure  was  dimly  outlined.  As  moment  after 


£38  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

moment  passed  Roma  still  stood  at  her  easel  while 
under  her  skilled  hand  a  presence  seemed  to  radi- 
ate. On  she  worked  until  a  warmth  teeming  with 
life  met  her  from  the  glance  of  eyes,  so  like  the 
spring's  first  violet,  eyes  whose  color  Roma  had  al- 
ways admired  and  which  now  unconsciously  she 
placed  before  her. 

How  silent  was  the  Snuggy !  No  sound  save  the 
twittering  of  the  sparrows,  and  an  occasional  chat- 
ter from  the  squirrels  who  seemed  glad  to  be  lib- 
erated from  their  long  winter's  rest,  broke  upon 
the  clear  air.  The  rays  of  the  western  sun  began 
to  steal  in  at  the  window,  bathing  all  in  its  glad 
effulgence.  Still  she  worked  on,  the  dim  figure 
giving  place  to  bold  outline  as  the  shadows  began 
to  lengthen.  With  a  perceptible  start  the  girl 
paused,  to  find  that  the  sun  had  passed  for  that 
day  down  beneath  the  vista  where  she  so  often  bade 
it  good  night,  and  that  indeed  twilight  was  come. 

Hearing  the  returning  steps  of  her  friends  she 
hastily  caught  up  a  throw  with  which  she  covered 
her  sketches  and  hid  the  violet  eyes  from  view. 

From  then  on  every  moment  she  could  find, 
every  moment  she  could  with  unselfishness  free  her- 
self from  her  companions,  found  her  before  her 
canvas.  Ever  she  seemed  called  to  her  work  and 
to  it  she  responded.  At  last  the  day  came  when 
her  painting  was  finished.  All  had  been  consum- 
mated, with  the  exception  of  a  few  trifling  details. 
Joe  and  the  aged  artist  had  viewed  it,  both  filled 
with  wonder,  a  portion  of  awe  mingling  with  Joe's 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  239 

thoughts  as  he  pondered  over  and  again  the  fact 
that  Roma's  hands  could  create  such  a  presence. 

For  days  the  sad  almost  entreating  look  in  the 
girl's  eyes  had  pierced  his  heart,  while  as  the  time 
passed,  bringing  no  word  from  the  absent  one,  he 
had  practically  made  up  his  mind  that  he  must  for 
her  sake,  if  not  for  his  own,  go  to  that  brother, 
there  to  remain,  to  do  all  in  his  power  for  him. 

Of  his  great  overpowering  love  for  Roma  he  real- 
ized more  day  after  day;  still  by  no  word,  nor 
conscious  look,  had  he  betrayed  himself  to  the  girl, 
for  he  felt  that,  much  as  he  wished  to  befriend  her 
in  her  need,  he  had  no  right  to  thrust  himself  on 
her;  at  least,  until  his  comrade  should  be  present 
to  wish  him  a  victory  of  his  heart's  desire. 

Having  determined  upon  his  journey,  both  the 
professor  and  himself  deemed  it  wiser  not  to  ac- 
quaint Roma,  for  in  her  great  loyalty  to  that 
Broth,  when  knowing  in  his  letters  he  had  deemed 
it  best  for  Joe  to  remain  at  home  in  the  mountains, 
she  might  be  overcautious  in  complying  with  his 
written  request.  While,  to  both  the  elder  and  the 
younger  man,  it  seemed  almost  inhuman  that  no 
one  of  his  own  should  be  near  him  in  this  the  hour 
of  his  need.  The  elder  friend  had  promised  to  care 
most  faithfully  for  the  ponies,  adding,  "  And  I  am 
sure  you  could  not  attend  our  little  lady  more 
devotedly." 

Here  a  pang  positively  smote  the  speaker's 
heart  as  he  witnessed  the  radiant  look  which  uncon- 
sciously illumined  his  companion's  face  at  his  men- 


240  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

tion  of  the  loved  girl.  At  the  same  moment  the 
subject  of  their  thoughts  was  bestowing  the  skill 
of  which  she  was  mistress  upon  her  painting,  where 
it  had  now  become  a  radiant  presence  under  her 
trained  fingers. 

Enchanting  would  well  express  her  effort  of  the 
graciously  beautiful  woman  who,  alluring,  enticing, 
was  before  her.  Soft,  shimmering  folds,  half  dis- 
closing, half  revealing  her  subtle  curves,  the  creamy 
flesh  seemingly  invested  with  life,  while  lurid  light 
seemed  to  gleam  and  flash  from  the  jewels  which, 
blood-red,  lay  so  lightly  over  her  perfect  bosom. 
Roma  stood  for  a  long  period  contemplating,  then 
with  feelings  half  admiring,  half  repelling,  she 
turned  from  her  finished  creation. 

During  the  evening  they  all  strove  to  make  it 
one  of  cheer,  Roma  remarking  several  times  that, 
were  she  near  a  metropolis,  she  should  try  to  dis- 
pose of  her  society  woman  who  still  possessed  her 
gems,  the  proceeds  to  go  to  her  Broth,  were  she  so 
fortunate.  To  which,  both  the  professor  and  the 
stalwart  lad  assured  her  there  would  be  no  doubt 
as  to  her  securing  a  purchaser. 

As  the  evening  drew  apace,  they  were  startled 
by  a  loud  baying.  All  instantly  were  on  their 
feet,  for  the  sound  seemed  to  come  in  close  proxim- 
ity to  the  Snuggy. 

"  Hello  !  I  believe  that  is  one  of  kin  to  the  buck 
I  shot  shortly  before  your  return,"  exclaimed  Joe, 
"  and  whose  skin  adorns  the  very  chair,  Roma,  you 
have  been  sitting  on." 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

Here  Joe,  all  animation,  was  about  to  rush  for 
his  shotgun,  thinking  to  add  still  another  trophy 
of  love  for  the  comfort  and  admiration  of  the  be- 
loved girl. 

"  No,  Joe," —  and  before  he  had  barely  started, 
Roma  was  by  his  side,  exclaiming,  "  I  am  sure 
your  only  wish  is  killing  the  creature  that  our 
Snuggy  may  be  the  possessor  of  his  warm  coat. 
But  think,  Joe,  the  spring  is  almost  with  us,  the 
gladsome  time  for  all ;  so  shall  we  not  allow  him  to 
live,  to  enjoy?  " 

Again  the  moaning  was  plainly  apparent,  al- 
though now  at  a  distance,  the  buck  seeming  to 
realize  that  he  had  been  nearer  than  he  believed 
to  a  foe.  For  an  instant  a  trace  of  disappoint- 
ment hovered  over  the  features  of  the  stalwart  lad, 
to  be  followed  by  a  look  of  tenderness,  which  Roma 
must  have  wondered  at,  had  she  fully  witnessed  it. 
With  a  deep,- smothered  sigh,  he  reassured  her: 

"  Yes,  Roma,  your  petition  shall  be  granted ; 
your  forest  friend  shall  go  free." 

"  Thank  you,  Joe ;  that  is  like  you  to  grant  me 
what  I  ask.  But  where  are  you  going?  Have 
you  forgotten  that  early  in  the  evening  you  fed 
and  prepared  the  ponies  ?  " 

"  No ;  I  have  not  forgotten  that ;  but  somehow 
I  feel  like  a  turn  in  the  moonlight.  Perhaps  the 
freedom  you  have  given  your  forest  neighbor  has 
fired  me  for  a  draft  of  the  woods.  Howbeit  — " 

"  Joe,  may  I  go  with  you  for  a  little  way  ?  I 
have  not  been  out  under  the  pines  at  night  since 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

my  return,  and,  as  you  say,  I  too  would  like  a 
breath  of  the  forest  and  a  peep  at  the  stars  up  — 
up  through  the  pines." 

"  Roma,  child,  why  to-night  ?  " —  the  words 
came  from  the  professor,  who  seemed  to  divine  the 
real  reason  for  the  suddenness  of  Joe's  proposed 
stroll.  Of  his  departure  on  the  morrow,  as  well  as 
his  almost  overmastering  love  for  Roma,  he  knew. 
Would  he  be  strong  enough  to  put  his  love  to  the 
test,  to  remain  silent  when  that  great  love  welled 
in  his  heart  and  she,  whom  he  feign  would  lavish 
it  on,  was  before  him  in  the  moonlight? 

"  Only  for  a  breath,  dear  Professor ;  then  I  will 
return  and  we  will  finish  our  story,  for  I  also  am 
most  anxious  to  learn  the  outcome  of  the  little 
comedy." 

Hastily  donning  her  buckskin  jacket,  then 
catching  up  a  warm  scarf  of  scarlet  cloth,  she  fol- 
lowed Joe  out  into  the  cold,  still  moonlight.  As 
they  passed  under  the  tall,  grim  pines,  the  stars 
seemed  to  dance  in  the  black  firmament,  so  gay  and 
sprightly  did  they  appear,  while  farther,  still  far- 
ther away,  could  be  heard  the  baying  of  the  freed 
moose. 

Suddenly  Roma  paused  to  view,  as  the  moon's 
rays  showed  to  advantage  against  the  trunk  of  a 
noble  pine,  a  device  which  she  had  noticed  on  sev- 
eral of  the  trees  on  her  return  and  which  she  had 
intended  speaking  of,  for  she  felt  very  sure  it  was 
through  Joe's  kindliness  to  his  little  furry  friends 
that  they  had  been  placed  there. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

"  Joe,  what  do  you  put  in  these  little  troughs  ?  " 
she  exclaimed,  as  she  playfully  thrust  her  hand 
into  the  crude  receptacle.  "  Sugar  that  you  give 
my  Gypsy,  or  something  more  to  be  relished  by 
your  chattering  friends  ?  " 

The  lad,  looking  like  a  sturdy  pioneer,  drew 
nearer  to  where  she  was  standing,  while  in  a  voice 
hardly  natural  even  to  his  own  hearing,  he  replied, 

"  Roma,  lass,  do  you  remember  the  weeks  before 
you  left  your  mountain  home ;  did  you  know  that 
even  before  you  yourself  knew  you  were  lonely, 
that  you  needed  companionship  different  than  we 
could  bestow  upon  you,  that  I  read  it  in  your 
every  glance,  heard  it  in  every  word  you  spoke?  " 

"  Joe,  why  do  you  speak  so  sadly  of  that  now? 
I  am  at  home  again,  nor  do  I  ever  mean  to  leave 
it  more."  Here  with  a  sudden  motion  half  child- 
ish, half  womanly,  she  clasped  her  hands  around 
the  arm  of  her  companion,  and  looking  up  into  his 
earnest  eyes,  she  continued,  "  But,  Joe,  did  you 
miss  me  so  much,  so  keenly,  that  the  very  thought 
of  it  makes  you  sad?  " 

"  Yes,  Roma ;  more  than  you  can  ever  know. 
And  to  help  to  forget,  I  busied  myself  in  many 
ways ;  these  little  devices,  as  you  call  them,  being 
of  the  many  to  fill  in  the  time  of  your  return. 
What  I  have  locked  away  in  my  heart  all  these 
weary  months,  I  must  tell  you  of,  and  to-night. 
It  is  no  use.  I  have  thought  to  quiet  my  intense 
longing,  until  Windy  was  with  us,  but  it  cannot 
be  kept  silent  any  longer,  for,  Roma,  you  must 


244  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

hear  of  the  great  love  which  is  in  my  heart  for 
you." 

Could  the  moan,  which  sounded  so  low  as  almost 
to  be  from  the  night  wind,  have  come  from  the  now 
silent,  slender  figure,  as  she  stood  silhouetted 
against  the  shadow  of  the  grim  pines  ?  —  while  the 
eager  tones  of  the  lad  continued,  "  And  I  have 
felt  lately,  as  I  have  seen  your  brave,  sad  face, 
that,  if  I  might,  how  gladly  would  I  suffer  your 
suspense  for  you!  Roma,  speak  and  tell  me. 
Could  you  become  my  wife,  to  live  with  me,  where 
my  every  wish  should  be  to  fulfill  yours,  and  where 
you  should  be  free  from  all  trouble,  all  care?  " 

"  Joe,  my  dear  good  Joe," —  with  a  cadence  of 
sadness  the  name  fell  on  the  lad's  waiting  ear, 
bringing  to  him  anguish,  as  if  hearing  his  death 
knell, — "  you  speak  of  your  love  for  me.  I,  too, 
have  love,  deep  love,  for  you ;  but,  Joe,  it  is  not, 
nor  could  it  ever  become,  a  wife's  love;  for,  my 
dear  Joe,  I  have  always  looked  on  you  as  a 
brother;  and,  believe  me,  I  would  give  worlds  if  I 
might  awake  and  find  that  your  ardent  love  for  me 
was  only  a  fanciful  dream,  for,  most  loyal  one,  I 
grieve  to  wound  you." 

"  Roma,  why,  why  are  you  so  sure  it  could  never 
be  otherwise?  "  pleaded  the  great  sturdy  lad,  as 
he  bent  his  now  pale  face  toward  hers,  his  earnest, 
wide-opened  eyes  seeming  fairly  scanning  her  soul. 

"  Just  why,  I  cannot  tell,"  the  girl  returned, 
her  own  face  looking  strangely  white  in  the  moon- 
light, while  unconsciously  her  fingers  sought  and 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  245 

held  the  bauble  she  always  wore,  as  she  continued: 
"  You  see,  Joe ;  as  you  say,  you  so  deeply  missed 
me  while  I  was  away  from  my  home.  So  I  often 
felt  lonely  for  you,  but,  oh  —  do  not  think  I  wish 
to  wound  you,  far  from  it  —  but  I  must  be  true. 
I  did  not  feel  such  love,  never  for  one  moment,  as 
you  had  for  me.  While,  if  I  had  really  and  truly 
loved  you  as  I  should  to  become  a  good  wife,  don't 
you  see  I  must  have  realized  it?  " 

"  Yes,  Roma ;  I  suppose  that  is  as  you  say  and 
I  expect  it  is  as  it  was  intended  to  be,  for  you 
are  of  a  different  world.  I  have  seen  it  ever  since 
you  returned;  your  love  and  skill  for  your  paint- 
ing has  changed  you.  Oh,  would  you  had  never 
left  your  mountain  home !  It  would  all  have  been 
so  different  then." 

"  No,  Joe,  do  not  say  that ;  for  I  must  have 
gone  some  time  into  the  artist's  world;  the  call 
would  have  sounded  and  I  should  have  answered, 
just  as  I  have  returned  to  the  Snuggy  in  answer 
to  a  silent  call  which  gave  me  no  peace  until  I 
obeyed.  As  for  shielding  me  from  all  trouble  — 
my  dear  faithful  friend,  you  have  always  made  me 
very  happy  by  your  great,  unselfish  care." 

Lower  and  lower  the  silvery  moon  had  now 
fallen,  while  a  brisk  wind  was  beginning  to  sigh 
throughout  the  pines.  With  tenderest  solicita- 
tion Joe  folded  the  bright  scarf  which  had  par- 
tially fallen  from  the  glossy  hair,  while  in  a  voice 
which  he  manfully  strove  to  appear  natural  he 
said: 


246  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

"  Remember,  Roma,  it  shall  remain  between  us 
as  it  has  always  been,  for  it  was  so  to  be ;  of  that 
I  now  see  clearly."  Then,  turning  her  face  with 
gentle  hand,  he  lifted  it  until  their  eyes  met  —  a 
look  of  deep  love  but  quiet  resignation  in  his,  a 
sad,  thoughtful  tenderness  in  hers.  Then  with 
united  steps  they  retraced  their  way  back  to  where 
the  light  beamed  forth  at  them  from  the  Snuggy. 


CHAPTER  XXXV 

Long  into  the  night  Joe  seemed  to  feel  the  warm 
fingers  of  the  girl,  who  had  with  gentle  frankness, 
in  bidding  him  good  night,  laid  her  hand  so 
quietly  into  his;  little  realizing  that  for  her  the 
great  honest  fellow  was  about  to  leave  his  accus- 
tomed haunts,  even  though  his  great  love  had  not 
been  blest.  Still,  for  her,  he  was  willing,  even 
eager,  to  do  all  that  lay  in  his  power. 

Little  sleep  came  to  his  nerve-racked  brain,  for 
to  him  the  proposed  journey  seemed  a  stupendous 
undertaking.  Of  one  thing  he  felt  grateful,  as  he 
thought  over  again  and  again  the  happenings  of 
the  past  few  weeks.  He  could,  and  should,  carry 
out  Roma's  wish  to  dispose  of  her  painting.  The 
professor  had  assured  him,  after  the  girl  had  left 
them  for  the  night  and  they  had  remained  for  one 
more  talk  before  his  departure,  that  of  a  certainty 
he  would  find  a  purchaser,  also  a  goodly  price 
would  be  realized,  "  For,  my  lad,  you  may  rest  as- 
sured it  is  a  rare  one." 

For  Joe  to  have  taken  the  picture  without  the 
express  wish  from  the  artist  would  have  been  im- 
possible, even  though  he  fully  realized  his  dire  need 
for  money,  but  at  Roma's  wish  it  should  be  borne 
from  the  land  of  the  pines  to  find  a  home  in  a 

sunny  clime. 

247 


248  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

With  greatest  care  the  wondrous  being  was  pre- 
pared by  the  skilled  hands  of  the  aged  artist  for 
its  transportation;  also  the  price  named  that  he 
felt  it  should  realize.  A  look  of  almost  reverence 
stole  into  the  aged  face  as  he  bade  the  lad  take 
courage,  for  he  had  read  the  faces  of  the  maid  and 
her  companion  on  their  return  earlier  in  the  even- 
ing, and  with  subdued  homage  he  now  regarded 
the  lad. 

Long  before  the  gray  light  began  to  steal  in  at 
his  window,  Joe  was  making  his  needed  prepara- 
tions. As  the  first  tinge  came  into  the  eastern  sky, 
he  had  silently  bade  good-by  to  his  home,  to  the 
abode  that  now  sheltered  the  girl  he  still  so  dearly 
loved.  He  was  to  descend  on  foot  the  mountain- 
ous trail,  his  prized  commission  to  accompany  him. 
With  a  fervent  hand-clasp  the  aged  professor  bade 
him  Godspeed,  a  dimness  he  was  not  ashamed  of 
obstructing  the  great  stalwart  figure  from  his 
vision  as  he  turned  back  into  the  Snuggy. 

In  a  flowered  land,  another  lad  had  been  tested. 
At  times  such  a  longing  for  the  pine-girded  hills 
would  steal  about  him  as  to  cause  the  sight  of  even 
the  lovely  flowers  to  become  almost  obnoxious. 
True,  he  was  happy  at  times ;  for  when  with  the 
Prince,  how  could  he  be  otherwise?  The  delaying 
of  his  trial  had  been  sorely  trying  to  him,  as  he 
knew  the  spring  was  well-nigh  come  even  in  the 
mountains,  and  that  he  should  be  there. 

During  all  the  period  he  had  been  awaiting  his 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  249 

trial,  no  positive  proof  had  been  found,  no  alibi 
produced ;  still  the  certainty  with  which  the  Prince 
assured  him  he  should  be  free  had  given  him  a  faith 
he  himself  could  scarce  account  for;  while  between 
the  faces  of  the  lovely  featured  woman  who  had 
accused  him  and  who,  he  felt,  positively  abhorred 
him  and  the  questioning  eyes  of  the  pictured  face 
the  Prince  declared  to  be  a  mascot,  Windy  felt 
lay  a  punishment  for  having  kept  the  secret  of  his 
identity  from  one  who  had  so  valiantly  upheld  him. 

His  thoughts  of  his  dear  Sis  were  many  and 
deep,  a  feeling  of  ease  often  following  one  of 
anxiety,  as  he  realized  the  strangeness  of  his  Sis's 
presence  and  that  it  seemed  to  fill  a  heart  besides 
his  own  with  pleasure;  that  heart,  the  sternly  ten- 
der one  of  the  Prince.  The  lad  had  also  learned 
Nina  Wentworth's  secret;  learned  that  a  great, 
overwhelming  love  encircled  his  benefactor,  but 
that  the  love  was  selfish  ambition;  worldly,  he 
also  realized,  as  again  and  again  he  found  himself 
thinking,  at  times  almost  voicing  his  thoughts 
aloud,  "  Indeed,  she  is  not  half  good  enough  for 
him."  Just  why  he  felt  that  way  he  could  not 
have  told.  Not  because  of  her  dislike  and  her  ac- 
cusation of  him,  for  he  believed  she  honestly  felt 
him  to  be  the  — ,  even  to  himself  he  would  not 
utter  the  word.  Lovely  of  face  and  figure  he  ad- 
mitted her  to  be,  but  to  him  she  did  not  ring  true, 
so  he  explained  it  to  himself. 

Windy  was  right  in  his  conjecture  as  to  the  feel- 
ing Nina  Wentworth  entertained  for  him.  More 


250  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

than  once,  as  she  had  met  him  in  passing  through 
the  apartment  of  the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice,  had 
she  been  tempted  to  address  him  by  his  rightful 
name,  but  a  glance  at  the  graceful  form  and  truth- 
ful eyes  of  his  —  for  her  —  almost  hated  Sis  would 
dispel  the  resolve;  she  fearing  lest  the  Honorable 
would  then  in  some  way  meet  his  pictured  guest. 

That  the  girl  was  truly  lovely  was  but  an  added 
reason  for  her  to  declare  they  should  never  meet 
if  she  could  prevent  it,  as  she  was  well  determined 
to  do.  She  had  wondered  many  times,  since  re- 
plying to  her  correspondent  in  the  East  to  the  ef- 
fect that  most  assuredly  the  lad  called  Anderson 
had  been  accused  and  by  her  of  stealing  gems, 
whether  the  lad  had  ever  acquainted  that  Sis ;  she 
had  never  learned ;  herself  adroitly  keeping  his  as- 
sumed name  from  being  known  to  the  Eastern 
friends,  as  well  as  his  place  of  residence,  thereby 
doing  all  in  her  power  to  keep  that  now  dreaded 
Sis  and  the  Right  Honorable  apart.  But  it  was 
not  to  be,  for  Fate,  if  we  call  it  by  that  name,  was 
busily  arranging  matters  in  its  own  way. 

At  last  the  day  had  arrived  wherein  Windy 
should  either  be  declared  innocent  —  free  to  go  to 
his  dear  waiting  one  in  the  mountain  home,  where 
now  he  knew  her  to  be  —  or  to  remain  a  marked, 
disgraced  lad  in  the  eyes  of  the  world.  No  news 
of  importance  for  or  against  the  case  had  been 
received.  Ned  Brigham,  poor  lad,  had  been  al- 
most ill  since  Windy  had  been  taken  from  the  hotel ; 
ever  on  the  alert,  he  had  failed  to  find  any  clew 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  £51 

by  which  to  aid  his  friend.  It  had  been  over  a 
week  now  since  Windy  had  received  any  word  from 
the  Snuggy.  Snuggy  —  the  very  name  caused  a 
faintness  to  creep  over  him  as  he  realized  what  the 
word  meant:  liberty,  love;  aye,  even  a  future. 

What  wonder,  then,  that  on  this  day  of  all  days, 
the  word  meant  so  much  to  the  anxious  lad? 
That  Joe  was  coming  to  him  —  Joe,  whom  just  to 
behold  would  be  to  inspire  confidence  by  his  stanch 
faith  in  his  almost  brother  —  Windy  did  not 
dream. 

The  sweetly  scented  air  seemed  almost  mockery 
to  Windy  as,  accompanied  by  the  Prince,  he  en- 
tered the  open  taxi  which  was  to  convey  them  to 
the  accursed  scene  of  which  he  was  to  be  the  chief 
actor.  Birds  were  singing,  flowers  blooming; 
while  in  a  pair  of  violet  eyes,  rivaling  in  beauty 
all,  a  cruel,  relentless  determination  lay  —  the  re- 
turn of  her  jewels  or  punishment  for  the  lad  to  the 
extent  of  the  law. 

Scarcely  had  they  taken  their  places  on  the 
platform  of  the  court-room  than  the  violet-eyed 
woman  made  her  appearance,  bearing  herself  as  a 
queen  of  old,  so  potent  she  felt  her  beauty,  while 
her  attorney,  smiling  and  urbane,  hastened  to  greet 
her. 

Soon  the  case  was  in  full  action,  attorneys,  ac- 
cuser and  accused  all  feeling  the  import  of  their 
individual  testimonials.  The  morning  grew  apace ; 
still  the  case  remained  in  action,  while  now  and 
again  even  the  faint  breath  of  perfume  which  was 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

wafted  to  the  cruelly  pent-up  lad  from  the  woman 
gowned  all  in  soft  brown  seemed  even  in  its  dainti- 
ness to  permeate  censure  to  him,  so  bitter  was  her 
demeanor. 

As  for  Alljn  Prentice,  the  lawyer  who  had  al- 
ready made  name  and  fame  for  himself;  as  he  ar- 
gued the  case  of  his  young  client  he  experienced 
a  new  interest,  an  interest  he  could  not  explain  nor 
understand,  even  to  himself.  The  case  seemed 
vital  to  him ;  vital  that  she  should  clear  the  lad  he 
had  grown  to  love,  as  he  now  realized  he  had ;  for 
as  he  had  watched  the  color  fade  little  by  little 
from  the  boyish  face  during  the  trying  ordeal 
through  which  he  had  passed,  leaving  no  trace  of 
guilt,  simply  anguish,  a  something  had  sprung  into 
his  own  heart  he  realized  had  heretofore  been  for- 
eign to  it. 

As  for  the  woman  with  her  soft  loveliness,  he 
was  beginning  to  feel  positive  aversion,  for  he 
seemed  to  realize  that  a  heart,  bitter,  relentless, 
tyrannical,  beat  under  the  full  white  bosom. 

The  stirring  whistle  and  bells  announced  the 
noon  hour.  A  short  respite  was  given  the  court, 
after  which  the  case  was  to  be  continued,  then  to 
go  into  the  hands  of  the  jury.  With  eyes  for 
none  but  the  criminal  lawyer,  Nina  Wentworth 
turned  with  almost  impatience  from  the  man  who 
seemed  to  lavish  love  on  her  from  his  every  glance, 
for  Lauren  Stocton  had  indeed  blessed  fate  for 
sending  the  case  of  the  lost  gems  to  him,  thereby 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  253 

allowing  him  to  bask  in  the  sunlight  of  her  glorious 
eyes. 

It  was  a  certainty  that  he  should  win  the  case 
and  that  mattered  much,  for  as  she  had  once  ex- 
pressed to  him,  "  If  I  cannot  gain  back  the  jewels 
now,  it  will  be  some  satisfaction  to  put  that  young 
thief  behind  the  walls  of  a  safe  retreat;  there, 
sooner  or  later,  he  will  admit  his  guilt,  and  by  that 
time  his  disgrace  will  have  proved  a  barrier," — 
here  with  a  laugh,  she  had  added, — "  even  of  love." 

Just  what  she  had  meant  when  she  alluded  to 
love,  her  attorney  did  not  understand.  Why 
should  he?  —  the  words  had  fallen  from  the  red 
lips  of  a  cruelly  clever  woman. 

With  quiet  gentlemanliness  Allyn  Prentice  de- 
clined Nina  Wentworth's  suggestion  that  they 
step  into  an  adjacent  cafe  for  lunch,  he  declaring 
it  most  necessary  that  he  return  to  his  apartment, 
as  he  had  to  look  for  important  papers  which  he 
needed  at  a  meeting  to  be  held  at  the  close  of  the 
court. 

With  a  touch  of  her  old  impetuosity,  the  woman 
in  her  simple  elegance  returned  to  her  own  attor- 
ney, who  eagerly  complied  with  her  wishes.  With 
alacrity  Allyn  Prentice  then  sought  the  lad  An- 
drews, bidding  him  still  hope  on,  the  end  had  not 
come;  a  smile,  good  to  see,  leaping  into  the  eyes 
which  looked  up  at  the  Prince,  as  he  answered,  "  I 
will;  it  is  the  least  I  can  do  for  you." 

Allyn  Prentice  then  told  the  lad  he  should  send 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

him  in  a  bite,  and  that  he  should  be  back  at  the 
appointed  time  to  finish  fighting  for  him  until  the 
end. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI 

From  a  land  of  almost  solitude  into  a  world  of 
action,  Joe,  the  sturdy  pioneer,  had  been  literally 
hurled.  As  to  Roma,  so  to  him  —  the  advent  into 
a  new  world  seemed  almost  like  the  performing  of 
some  miracle,  so  wonderful  it  all  appeared;  the 
whole  mode  of  his  transportation  holding  a  keen 
fascination  for  him  and  fortunately  acting  in  part 
as  an  antidote  for  the  heavy  pain  which  had 
weighed  him  down  so  persistently  since  his  parting 
with  the  girl  Roma. 

With  eyes  filled  with  wonderment  and  a  heart 
beating  tumultuously,  the  lad  entered  the  city 
where  he  was  to  find  his  old  pal  Windy.  Just  how 
to  reach  him,  he  little  knew.  Confusion  as  well  as 
desire  made  him  an  object  of  notice;  then  his  at- 
tire, unmistakably  Western,  added  to  his  unusual 
appearance,  while  the  large,  framed  object,  as  well 
as  a  dusty  portmanteau,  did  not  detract  from  the 
crude  picture. 

After  several  attempts  to  gain  the  location  of 
the  avenue  Windy  had  given  as  his  address,  he  suc- 
ceeded, and  straightway  bent  all  his  pent-up  en- 
ergy in  reaching  his  destination.  A  long  jaunt 
he  found  it  to  be,  but  on  he  plodded,  never  for  a 

moment  thinking  to  relieve  himself  of  his  burdens 
255 


256  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

or  give  himself  respite  nor  even  a  lift  by  a  hired 
conveyance.  In  fact,  the  thought  never  entered 
his  consciousness,  so  filled  was  it  with  the  thoughts 
of  meeting  Windy.  Several  times  he  was  obliged 
to  ask  his  way,  so  strange  to  him  the  whole  scene 
appeared. 

The  last  of  his  tramp  had  brought  him  in  the  lo- 
cation of  a  fine  residential  section,  where,  ere  he 
was  aware,  so  engrossed  was  he  by  the  grandeur 
of  his  surroundings,  the  very  number  he  was 
searching  for  loomed  up  before  him.  With  almost 
timidity  he  ascended  the  steps  which  led  him  to  the 
imposing  entrance.  Here  he  was  met  by  a  colored 
lad,  looking  very  spruce  in  his  neat  regalia,  a  half 
smile  springing  to  his  countenance  as  Joe  with  a 
loud  weary  sigh  released  himself  from  his  burden, 
the  same  moment  inquiring  if  he  might  be  allowed 
in  No.  — ,  as  he  had  a  friend  staying  there. 

"  Guess  you  sure  can,"  answered  the  dusky  lad. 
"  But  first  I'll  whistle  up  and  let  Pratt  know." 

"  Pratt,"  exclaimed  Joe,  somewhat  disgusted  at 
the  wrong  construction,  as  he  supposed,  of  Windy's 
name,  but  giving  his  whole  attention  to  the  blow- 
ing that  the  boy  was  performing  through  a  metal 
device.  Soon  a  succession  of  little  clicks  followed 
the  words  which  were  spoken  through  the  same 
opening  through  which  the  whistling  had  been 
carried  on,  and  Joe  was  then  shown  the  way  to 
the  apartment. 

Again  he  was  met  by  a  person  seeming  of  some 
importance,  this  time  of  his  own  color,  and  who 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  257 

proved  to  be  the  Pratt  the  boy  had  spoken  of. 
Rather  stern  and  unfriendly  this  last  personage 
appeared  to  the  Westerner,  as  he  asked  to  see  a 
lad  who  said  he  lived  at  that  address. 

To  his  inquiry,  Joe  was  informed  that  neither 
the  lad  nor  the  Hon.  Mr.  Prentice  were  at  home. 
"  But  as  I  expect  the  latter  any  minute,  you  may 
step  in  and  wait,  if  you  like." 

Thanking  the  man,  Joe  entered  the  —  to  him  — 
palatial  room,  accompanied  by  the  precious  canvas, 
so  wrapped  as  to  appear  almost  grotesque,  but 
which  he  insisted  on  guarding.  As  he  stood  within 
the  luxuriant  room  a  sense  of  latent  manliness 
supported  him,  crowning  him,  even  in  his  conscious 
bewilderment,  with  the  stamp  of  the  true  gentle- 
man. 

With  his  sombrero  held  tightly  in  his  large 
brown  hand  he  seated  himself,  wondering  just 
where  Windy  could  be.  Then,  as  moment  after 
moment  passed,  he  gained  a  tithe  of  assurance  as 
his  glance  rested  here  and  there  with  pleased  eager- 
ness, the  atmosphere  of  the  room  seeming  to  soothe 
his  anxious  fears. 

Such  luxury,  such  taste;  even  the  lad  from  na- 
ture's wiles  felt  it  was  superb ;  while  the  thought 
of  Roma,  that  she  had  seen,  even  lived,  perhaps, 
where  surroundings  were  of  this  sort,  seemed  to 
build  an  added  barrier  between  them;  he  finding 
himself  again  excusing  the  girl  for  her  refusal  of 
himself,  as  he  again  realized  their  different  ideas  of 
life. 


258  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

The  fragrance  and  beauty  of  the  flowers  he  had 
passed  since  entering  the  charmed  city  had  been 
greatly  admired  by  the  lad,  who  loved  nature  de- 
voutly, and  as  the  moment  sped  away  and  no  one 
appeared,  the  perfume  from  a  cluster  of  white 
oleanders  seemed  to  coax  him  to  a  nearer  draught 
of  their  sweetness,  he  yielded,  and,  crossing  the 
room,  was  about  to  inhale  its  rare  fragrance,  when 
pictured  eyes  riveted  his  attention. 

For  an  instant  he  could  scarcely  realize  it  was 
but  a  picture  he  was  gazing  into,  for  the  eyes 
seemed  so  like  those  he  had  recently  looked  into 
that  their  genuineness  seemed  assured.  In  fact, 
she  seemed  so  much  in  his  every  thought  that  her 
appearance  for  the  moment  did  not  seem  strange 
to  him. 

"  Roma !  Roma !  Well  you  grace  your  sur- 
roundings, as  do  you  also  the  Snuggy  amid  the 
pines.  Ah,  little  girl,  you  were  true  and  frank 
with  me;  may  I  be  of  some  help  to  you  in  your 
keen  grief  and  despair !  " 

His  hand  still  rested  on  the  choice  silver  frame, 
where  he  had  turned  the  pictured  face  more  toward 
himself,  when  a  masculine  voice  resounded  through- 
out the  room.  That  his  words  had  been  heard, 
and  deeply  wondered  at,  the  stalwart  lad  gave  no 
thought  as  he  advanced  toward  the  person  who 
had  so  quietly  yet  unmistakably  addressed  him, 

"  My  man  has  informed  me  that  you  wish  to  see 
a  lad  whose  address  was  given  here.  Can  I  be  of 
any  service  to  you?  " 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  259 

Here  a  deep,  penetrating  look  accompanied  the 
inquiry.  "  Roma,  Smiggy,"  the  words  not  only 
rang  in  the  ears  of  the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice  but 
seemed  written  in  words  of  fire  before  his  eyes,  as 
he  still  continued  to  keep  his  glance  riveted  on  the 
face  of  the  youth  who  now  stood  before  him. 

"  I  am  here  to  find  Albert  Anderson,  my  friend 
and  almost  brother.  I  have  come  from  our  home 
in  the  mountains,  where  his  sister  waits  in  sus- 
pense his  coming.  Can  you  tell  me  where  I  may 
find  him?" 

"  I  know  a  youth  named  Andrews ;  of  his  home 
and  sister  I  cannot  say,  for  he  has  never  spoken  of 
either  to  me.  He  is  the  lad  who  has  lived  with 
me  for  the  past  weeks,  and  whose  case  I  am  natur- 
ally much  interested  in,  as  I  am  his  lawyer." 

The  words  had  barely  left  Allyn  Prentice's  lips 
when, 

"  Oh,  sir,  Windy  never  took  those  accursed 
gems.  I  have  known  him  nearly  all  my  life  and  a 
squarer  pal  never  breathed.  Why  he  gave  you  his 
name  as  Andrews,  I  cannot  say  — " —  then  a 
thought  of  Roma's  picture,  holding  such  promi- 
nence in  the  room  of  the  man  who  knew  nothing 
of  her  real  identity  flashed  over  him,  and  he  re- 
mained silent. 

Crossing  quickly  to  the  picture,  to  which  the 
new-comer  had  been  so  enrapt  that  he  had  failed 
to  hear  his  approach,  Allyn  Prentice  also  turned 
the  truthful  eyes  well  toward  his  own,  an  unusual 
light  leaping  to  his  as  he  began  to  realize  just 


260  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

what  his  girlish  mascot  was  to  his  young  client. 

"  Andrews,  Sis,  the  girl  of  the  Snuggy."  It  did 
indeed  mean  much  even  to  him.  Turning  with  re- 
luctance from  the  eyes  that  seemed  to  hold  his, 
Allyn  Prentice  recrossed  to  where  the  lad  was 
standing  and  extending  his  hand  he  expressed  that 
he  was  glad  to  meet  so  stanch  a  friend  as  he  felt 
he  was,  to  both  that  brother  who  had  been  and  was 
passing  through  so  trying  an  ordeal,  as  was  also 
the  loyal  sister  waiting  patiently  for  the  outcome. 

A  heart-to-heart  talk  followed,  the  lawyer  telling 
the  lad  of  the  mountains  that  a  sister  of  his  col- 
lege chum  had  sent  the  photograph  to  him,  also 
telling  him  of  her  visit  at  the  Snuggy. 

"  Can  you  mean  our  kind  lady  Dr.  Moulton?  " 
came  in  eager  tones  from  the  lad,  a  smile  of  posi- 
tive pleasure  lighting  up  his  strong  features. 

"  Yes,  it  is  to  her  I  refer.  But,  come,  tell  me 
all  you  can  of  this  pal  of  yours,  for  by  your  com- 
munication I  may  be  able  to  win  the  freedom  we  all 
crave  for  him;  for,  young  man,  this  is  the  day 
of  his  trial  and  Providence  may  have  sent  you  to 
me  for  a  purpose." 

Thereupon  followed  many  points  of  interest 
relative  to  the  inmates  of  the  Snuggy,  a  keenness 
making  itself  apparent  on  the  lawyer's  face  as 
Ben's  character  was  deftly  unfolded  under  his  skill- 
ful strategy.  Much  longer  would  Allyn  Prentice 
have  liked  to  linger,  hearing  of  the  life  lived  far 
away  from  the  haunts  of  man,  but  he  realized  he 
was  needed  to  fight  for  one  who  added  a  great 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

share  of  brightness  to  that  little  colony,  and  who 
he  now  felt  certain  had  sought  to  shield  even  the 
photograph  of  the  loved  sister,  so  that  no  disgrace 
should  even  surround  her  pictured  identity. 

"  And  now,  Joe,  if  you  wish  you  may  accom- 
pany me  back  to  the  court-room,  but  perhaps  it 
will  be  best  not  to  let  your  presence  be  known  to 
your  friend  until  his  case  has  been  settled,  as  it 
might  unnerve  him,  and  he  needs  all  his  courage 
this  day.  For  fight  for  him  as  I  have  and  shall, 
still  things  look  rather  dark,  although  I  believe 
that  from  what  you  have  told  me  of  this  Ben,  this 
cousin,  I  have  a  new  card  to  play  and  one  that 
may  prove  a  trump." 

"  Heaven  grant  it  may  be  so,"  broke  from  the 
now  eager,  tremulous  lips  of  the  guide  of  the  moun- 
tains, while  ere  the  words  had  scarcely  left  his  lips, 
he  had  turned  toward  the  package  he  had  guarded 
so  carefully  since  it  had  left  its  first  abiding  place 
exclaiming, 

"  But  I  must  show  you  before  you  return  to 
fight  for  my  pal,  the  work  that  loyal  sister  has 
been  doing,  hoping  by  her  efforts  to  earn  money 
to  help  all  in  her  power  to  free  that  dear  one." 

With  hands  which  trembled,  so  keyed  up  he  had 
become  over  the  whole  affair,  the  stalwart  youth 
unwrapped  and  placed  before  the  astonished  eyes 
of  his  companion  the  gloriously  beautiful  woman, 
seeming  alive,  so  filled  with  a  breathing  presence 
did  she  appear. 

An  almost  audible  gasp  escaped  the  lips  of  the 


262  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

lawyer  as  he  gazed  upon  the  creation,  noting  the 
unmistakable  genius  displayed  thereon,  while  the 
words  "  womanly  intuitiveness  "  came  to  his  con- 
sciousness, as  in  answer  to  his  wonderment. 

Man  of  the  world  as  he  was,  he  realized  that  back 
of  the  genius  which  had  placed  such  a  creation 
before  him  lay  a  character  far  removed  from  the 
one  of  the  woman  whose  presence  the  mountain  girl 
had  so  wonderfully  portrayed. 

Turning  to  Joe,  with  eyes  that  positively  shone, 
the  criminal  lawyer  exclaimed, 

"  So  this  radiant  being  was  made  to  live  by  my 
little  mascot,  and  to  help  win  her  brother's  case.  I 
pray  God  that  in  some  way  it  may  be  accom- 
plished." 

Another  long  look  he  took,  noting  the  fair  flesh, 
the  shapeliness  of  the  slender  figure,  as  well  as  the 
subtle  beauty  with  which  it  had  been  arrayed  in 
its  priceless  garb  of  shimmering  fabric  and  lace, 
while  gleams  of  scarlet  seemed  positively  to  radiate 
from  the  gems  which  encircled  the  full  throat;  the 
face,  while  not  Nina  Wentworth's,  was  of  the  type 
of  woman  which  she  represented:  worldly,  ambi- 
tious, and,  as  he  now  felt  forced  to  admit,  heart- 
less, for  had  he  not  noted  the  expression  of  de- 
termination which  had  flitted  then  lingered  on  her 
mobile  face  during  the  most  trying  moments  of 
a  youth's  career;  determination  to  win  her  cause 
and  seemingly  bent  on  the  lad  being  punished, 
whether  her  gems  were  regained  or  not  by  so  doing. 

Turning  to  his  companion,  whose  thoughts  were 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  263 

keeping  him  company,  Allyn  Prentice  assured  him 
that  the  painting  should  indeed  find  a  purchaser. 
Then  bidding  him  come  with  him,  they  left  the 
luxuriant  apartment  and  were  hurriedly  driven  to 
the  court-house. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII 

Back  to  the  court-room,  back  to  fight  for  the 
royal  lad,  seemingly  now  nearer  and  dearer  to  him 
than  before,  the  honorable  criminal  lawyer  went. 
Not  only  had  he  the  accused  one  to  free,  but  as 
well  he  must  bring  peace  and  cheer  to  a  far  distant 
one,  who  was  waiting  with  such  patience  for  the 
absent. 

Joe  was  given  a  seat  where  he  could  see  his 
friend  with  little  fear  of  himself  being  seen, 
thereby  causing  needless  emotion.  The  case  was 
soon  called,  Allyn  Prentice  barely  having  time  to 
whisper  into  Windy's  ear  that  he  had  learned  much 
since  he  had  been  away  and  was  to  use  it  for  his 
case,  adding,  "  No  surprise  must  you  show  at  any- 
thing I  have  to  say." 

Again  the  lawyers,  the  accuser  and  accused  were 
being  probed.  To  Allyn  Prentice  it  seemed  as  if 
gleams  of  scarlet  emanated  from  the  presence  of 
the  woman  who  duly  took  her  stand,  so  vividly 
could  he  see  the  painted  rubies  encircling  the  white 
throat  of  the  being  who  had  been  created  because 
of  her  accusation  and  by  the  very  girl  who  had 
worn  at  the  time  a  talisman  of  his  own.  What 
wonder  then  at  his  eloquence,  for  did  not  the  eyes 
of  the  girl,  Roma,  entreat  him? 
264 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  265 

To  Windy,  as  to  Nina  Wentworth,  his  mention- 
ing of  a  cousin,  a  fellow  of  unprincipled  character, 
whose  existence  had  only  at  this  hour  been  made 
known  to  him,  came  as  a  bolt  from  a  clear  sky.  A 
pallor  most  noticeable  spread  over  the  features 
of  the  beautiful  woman  as  her  glance  seemed 
caught  and  held  by  the  lawyer  who  was  so  valiantly 
defending  the  one  she  had  accused;  while  to  her 
came  the  wonderment  of  how  much  he  had  learned 
relative  to  the  lad  and  his  attractive  sister. 

As  for  Windy,  he  dared  not  think,  fearing  that 
disgrace  for  that  Sis  might  be  but  the  outcome  in 
publicly  bringing  new  facts  to  light  in  order  to  set 
him  free ;  but  as  the  Prince  had  bade  him  make  no 
outward  show,  he  must  and  would  do  his  utmost  to 
obey.  With  every  nerve  strained  to  its  highest 
tension,  Joe  looked  at  the  scene  before  him,  feeling 
it  almost  providential  that  he  should  have  arrived 
to  hear  for  himself  the  outcome  of  the  cursed  ac- 
cusation. How  he  longed  to  go  to  that  old  pal 
and  assure  him  that  the  right  must  in  the  end  pre- 
vail and  that  the  mountains  at  least  were  as  true 
now  as  when  he  had  left  their  grandeur !  How  he 
admired  the  man  who  stood  there  fighting  with  an 
eloquence  even  the  uneducated  mountain  lad  knew 
it  to  be,  and  for  one  who  had  no  special  claim  on 
him!  Ah,  was  it  indeed  as  Joe  thought?  Could 
he  have  known  of  the  almost  adoration  for  the  girl 
—  which  had  seemed  to  possess  Allyn  Prentice 
from  the  moment  he  had  realized  the  suspense  and 
sorrow  of  her  who  had  been  to  him  almost  as  a 


266  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

companion,  her  presence  seemingly  imbued  with  life 
and  cheer  as  she  had  daily  seemed  to  share  his  life 
—  would  the  one  who  had  been  denied  the  right  to 
call  her  his,  have  experienced  the  same  regard? 
Even  so,  Joe  would  have  been  just,  for  he  was  in- 
deed one  of  God's  true  gentlemen. 

Now,  as  he  continued  to  watch,  eager  to  hear 
all  that  was  spoken,  he  recognized  a  slight  confu- 
sion on  the  platform.  The  lawyers  had  ceased 
to  speak  and  were  conferring  with  a  person  who 
had  come  abruptly  on  the  scene.  Several  moments 
passed,  no  word  being  spoken,  then  the  Judge 
called  for  attention,  stating  that  a  very  unusual 
circumstance  had  occurred  which  would  necessi- 
tate the  dismissal  of  the  accused  for  a  brief  period, 
as  he  had  been  sent  for  at  the  urgent  request  of  a 
man  who  lay  at  the  point  of  death  and  which  might 
be  the  means  of  clearing  up  the  charge  for  which 
he  was  being  tried.  He  was  to  be  accompanied 
by  the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice,  who  would  vouch  for 
his  reappearance. 

The  Judge  had  barely  finished  when  Windy,  to 
whom  Allyn  Prentice  had  been  speaking,  arose  and, 
accompanying  the  latter,  left  the  room.  Once  out- 
side, they  were  driven  with  great  speed  to  the 
Emergency  Hospital  where  a  man  had  just  been 
conveyed  in  a  most  critical  condition.  He  was  a 
stranger  in  the  city,  having  arrived  by  an  Eastern 
train,  and  had  been  noted  as  being  in  a  pronounced 
state  of  inebriation  and  had  finally  attempted 
stepping  off  before  the  train  had  pulled  into  the 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  267 

station,  thereby  receiving  a  heavy  fall  which  had 
resulted  in  a  fractured  skull.  Upon  reaching  the 
hospital,  which  he  had  accomplished  in  a  conscious 
state,  he  had  earnestly  begged  for  one  Albert  An- 
derson to  be  brought  to  him,  after  having  been 
told  that  if  he  had  any  friends  they  best  be  sent 
for,  as  he  was  in  a  most  dangerous  condition. 

Losing  no  time,  the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice  and  his 
young  charge  were  conducted  into  a  small  room 
where  on  a  bed  lay  a  stalwart  body,  none  other 
than  Cousin  Ben.  Windy,  who  had  been  told  the 
person's  name,  was  prepared  to  see  one  whom  he 
believed  to  be  his  kith,  but  he  was  wholly  unpre- 
pared for  the  great,  bloated-looking  creature  whom 
he  could  hardly  believe  to  be  the  same  being  he  had 
left  at  the  Snuggy  when  he  had  sought  to  visit 
the  world  a  few  short  months  before. 

It  was  very  apparent  that  alcoholic  drink  had 
been  a  constant  companion  of  the  now  doomed  man 
who  lay  so  helpless  upon  his  death-bed. 

At  a  motion  from  the  one  standing  at  the  bed- 
side Windy  approached,  to  be  recognized  by  the 
being  thereon. 

"  I  say,  hello,  Anderson,  ain't  you  surprised  to 
see  me  ?  The  fact  is  it  was  to  see  you  that  I  came 
to  this  accursed  place.  If  I  had  kept  away  I 
should  not  now  be  stretched  out  like  a  cur."  Here 
his  labored  breathing  caused  him  to  cease  speak- 
ing. 

"  I  am  very  sorry,  Ben,  to  find  you  like  this. 
How  did  it  happen  ?  "  Windy  answered,  a  great 


268  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

wave  of  pity  filling  his  heart  for  the  other's  physi- 
cal suffering. 

"  They  did  let  you  leave  your  place  in  the  dock 
to  come  to  a  dying  man,  eh?  "  the  labored  tones 
continued.  "  Well,  it  was  perhaps  just  as  well  for 
your  peace  of  mind  that  they  did,  for,  Windy, 
now  that  it  is  most  probable  I  shall  have  to  make 
my  peace  with  the  Great  Spirit,  shall  I  find  one,  it 
may  make  it  a  jot  easier  for  me  if  I  unburden  my 
conscience  to  you." 

At  the  mention  of  his  disgrace,  Windy  felt  a 
tinge  of  color  creep  into  his  face,  while  a  won- 
derment as  to  how  his  kin  knew  so  minutely  rela- 
tive to  his  actions  brought  a  question  to  his  lips, 
but  ere  he  could  frame  it  Ben  had  again  begun 
speaking : 

"  I  guess  the  old  saying  is  true  that  '  It's  an  ill 
wind  that  blows  nobody  good,'  for  by  my  being 
knocked  out,  it  will  benefit  you  mightily." 

"  Ben,  of  what  are  you  speaking?  What  can 
you  know  of  my  life  of  late?"  rejoined  the  lad, 
standing  there  so  quietly,  although  his  heart  was 
beating  as  though  to  burst  from  its  bounds. 

"  Just  this," —  here  the  almost  loathsome  figure 
tried  to  raise  himself,  but  with  a  deep  groan  aban- 
doned his  project  as  beyond  his  power  to  perform, 
while  a  deepened  look  of  despair  settled  over  his 
face, — "  that  my  death-blow  has  made  you  a  free 
man;  free  to  again  join  the  ones  waiting  you  at 
the  Snuggy,  free  to  snap  your  fingers  in  the  faces 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  269 

of  those  who  have  been  determined  to  disgrace  you 
—  I,  the  keenest  of  all  for  it." 

A  low,  reverent  "  Thank  God !  "  burst  from  the 
lips  of  the  eagerly  listening  one,  as  with  great  im- 
petuosity he  begged  the  doomed  man  to  tell  him  all. 

It  was  a  story  of  revenge,  added  to  one  of  deep- 
est intrigue;  but  now  not  only  had  it  exonerated 
the  one  listening,  who  with  fervent  gratitude 
thanked  his  heavenly  Father,  but  proved  with  abso- 
lute certainty  the  honesty  of  his  adored  and  re- 
spected father;  while  the  news  that  Ben  was  of 
no  blood  relation,  only  an  adopted  lad  to  the  very 
one  he  had  sworn  his  dear  father  had  wronged,  was 
a  bit  of  information  dearer  to  the  heart  of  the  lad 
than  his  own  freedom  or  a  priceless  legacy  could 
ever  have  been. 

Hating  work  and  finding  among  his  adopted 
father's  papers  a  release  from  it,  if  he  succeeded  in 
managing  it  skillfully,  Ben  had  used,  after  the 
death  of  the  man  who  had  succored  him,  a  dis- 
honest  power  to  gain  for  himself  a  life  of  ease  and 
idleness.  With  labored  breathing,  the  confession 
was  continued,  Windy  holding  several  times  a  glass 
of  cooling  water  to  the  lips  of  the  humbled  man. 

As  the  last  part  of  Ben's  confession  progressed, 
it  was  plain  to  be  seen  that  he  was  growing  rapidly 
weaker,  while  into  the  eyes  of  the  lad  watching  him 
a  wistfulness  pathetic  to  see  was  stealing,  and  at 
the  words,  "  I  say,  Anderson,  you  had  better  get 
some  one  here  to  vouch  for  the  rest  of  my  story," 


270  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

it  was  with  subdued  but  positive  joy  that  Windy 
called  to  the  Prince,  who  had  been  waiting  with 
keen  impatience  for  the  summons. 

Back  to  the  court-room  the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice 
hastened,  a  paper  in  his  possession,  seeming  to  him 
almost  as  dear  as  if  it  had  been  his  own  reprieve ; 
a  paper  signed  by  the  now  almost  lifeless  hands 
of  a  fated  man.  Ben  had  stated  that  slumbering 
anger  caused  by  the  attack  Windy  had  made  on 
him  had  been  the  means  of  his  hiring  one  to  spy 
his  every  action,  he  even  keeping  in  touch  with  his 
accomplice  until  the  time  had  come  to  clinch 
Windy;  the  securing  of  Miss  Wentworth's  gems 
being  the  ultimatum;  the  very  place  where  the 
gems  were  concealed  being  made  known,  for  they 
had  been  brought  to  him  by  the  one  whom  he  had 
paid  to  consummate  the  deed. 

Much  as  he  wished  to  have  the  freed  lad  accom- 
pany him  back  where  the  glory  of  it  all  should  en- 
velop him,  Allyn  Prentice  felt  that  a  pair  of  gray 
eyes  would  have  willed  it  even  as  did  the  brother, 
who  had  begged  to  be  allowed  to  remain  with  the 
injured  man  until  the  end. 

To  all,  save  one,  in  that  court-room  waiting  the 
result  of  such  an  unprecedented  interruption,  the 
news  came  with  great  joy  —  joy  for  the  freedom 
to  a  youth  —  joy  that  no  crime  marred  the  life  of 
one  to  whom  all  should  seem  fair  and  true  as  one 
beginning  life's  walk.  The  tones  of  the  criminal 
lawyer's  voice  sounded  like  a  clarion  call  as  he 
finished,  having  pronounced  the  lad  Andrews  free. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  271 

From  the  moment  when  the  messenger  had  ap- 
peared hastening  the  prisoner,  together  with  the 
Hon.  Allyn  Prentice,  from  the  court-room  until 
the  reappearance  of  one  to  whom  all  others  seemed 
inferior,  had  Nina  Wentworth  evinced  no  interest 
in  her  surroundings ;  but  now  as  the  words  ringing 
seemingly  to  her,  as  indeed  they  really  did,  with 
marked  exultation,  a  bitterness  amounting  to  al- 
most physical  pain,  swept  down  upon  the  jealous 
woman.  She  still  continued  to  wonder  how  much 
he  had  learned ;  and  not  even  when  he  had  crossed 
over  to  her  to  congratulate  her  that  soon  again 
would  gleams  of  scarlet  encircle  her  fair  throat, 
did  he  in  any  way  intimate  further  knowledge  as 
to  the  lad's  identity. 

In  his  great  secret  joy  at  the  glad  message  which 
would  soon  be  speeding  its  way  over  the  wire  to  a 
waiting  one,  he  accepted  the  beautiful  woman's 
invitation  to  drive  him  to  his  apartment ;  but  when 
on  arriving  he  tactfully  but  deliberately  refrained 
from  inviting  her  to  his  presence,  she  realized  that 
as  yet  her  victory  had  not  been  won. 

Once  inside,  he  awaited  with  eager  anticipation 
the  return  of  the  lads,  as  he  had  sent  Joe  to  his 
young  client,  thinking  that,  when  the  end  which 
would  soon  come  that  bound  the  wounded  man  to 
earth  life,  the  lad  who  had  volunteered  so  un- 
selfishly to  remain  by  his  side  would  be  repaid  by 
the  renewed  companionship  of  his  stanch  friend. 

What  a  brave  lad  his  young  charge  had  proven 
himself  to  be,  and  to  think  of  his  daily  viewing  the 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

pictured  face  of  the  one  he  so  loved  and  without 
sign,  guarding  her  as  with  his  life!  Seeking  the 
depths  of  his  accustomed  chair,  Allyn  Prentice  let 
his  fancy  run  riot.  It  led  him  to  the  height  of  a 
pine-girted,  mountain  trail,  to  a  sweet  girlish  face 
where  joy  and  love  looked  forth  from  clear  eyes 
of  gray.  Pausing,  still  pausing,  his  thoughts  re- 
mained with  that  distant  one,  seeming  to  hear  en- 
dearing words,  words  she  would  soon  lavish  upon 
the  lad  he  would  feign  part  from,  for  a  deep  ten- 
derness enveloped  him  from  his  affection. 

Suddenly  a  troubled  look  deepened  the  expres- 
sion which  had  seemed  so  placid  as  the  man  had 
given  his  fancy  full  sway.  Now  another  face  and 
that  of  the  stalwart  Joe  had  seemed  to  pass  before 
his  vision  of  the  girl,  claiming  by  the  very  ardor 
of  his  glance  the  right  to  dream  of  her.  Somehow 
a  gloom  unnoticed  before  stole  over  the  waiting 
man,  and  with  a  motion  of  impatience  he  rose  and 
crossing  to  the  open  window,  he  leaned  far  out, 
inhaling  the  perfumed  air  of  the  coming  night. 

At  a  distant  part  of  the  flowered  city  a  youth, 
with  unmistakable  signs  of  grief  depicted  on  his 
countenance,  had  just  left  the  presence  of  death; 
his  hand  still  seeming  to  clasp  fingers  which  had 
ceased  to  respond  to  his  pressure,  for  Ben  was  no 
more.  With  his  last  breath  he  had  thanked  the 
youth  for  his  kindness  in  remaining,  adding, 
"  Windy,  old  man,  it  will  make  it  a  jot  easier  for 
me  to  grope  my  way." 

During  the  last  hour  of  his  life  Ben  had  not  only 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  273 

related  his  behavior  to  Roma,  begging  her  brother 
convey  his  sorrow  at  having  caused  her  grief,  but 
also  helped  to  bring  the  true  nature  of  big,  gen- 
erous-hearted Joe's  love  for  the  girl  before  him. 
With  thoughts  perturbed,  Windy  entered  an  ante- 
room, thinking  to  collect  himself  ere  making  neces- 
sary arrangements  for  the  burial  of  the  deceased. 

In  an  instant  his  hands  were  bound  by  warm, 
outstretched  ones,  while  the  endearing  eyes  of  his 
old  friend  enveloped  him,  so  wholly  did  they  hold 
him. 

"  It  is  a  little  world  after  all,"  Windy  remarked 
some  time  later,  when  Joe  and  himself  had  related 
their  doings  one  to  the  other.  "  To  think  that 
Ben,  you  and  I  should  be  under  one  roof  and  so 
far  from  the  Snuggy.  Poor  old  Ben !  I  can  well 
afford  to  forgive  him,  for  has  he  not  now  given  me 
a  freed  life?" 

Leaving  Joe  reluctantly,  Windy  hastened  to  at- 
tend to  all  in  his  power,  as  a  last  fitting  memorial 
for  one  he  had  long  believed  to  be  his  kin. 

Again  back  with  Joe,  the  lad,  who  was  free  to 
act  for  himself,  now  longed  for  the  presence  of  the 
Prince,  and  by  his  title  of  him  expressed  as  much 
to  his  boyhood  friend.  Of  his  princely  dealings 
with  him  Windy  glowingly  talked,  as  in  the  per- 
fumed gloaming  they  were  conveyed  back  to  his 
presence. 

Long  into  the  night  a  subdued  light  burned  in 
Allyn  Prentice's  apartment,  where  three  types  of 
manhood  were  engrossed  each  with  the  other,  the 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

soft  night  breeze  wafting  the  perfume  equally  to 
all  from  the  fragrant  blossoms  which  stood  guard 
over  the  pictured  being  of  one  whose  presence  filled 
all  thoughts.  A  message  long  hours  before  had 
been  sent  to  her,  stating,  "  Windy  free  —  will 
write,"  signed  Joe. 

Of  his  life  and  keen  suffering  since  the  arriving 
of  Ben  at  the  Snuggy,  Windy  freely  spoke;  his 
great  fear  having  been  that  his  beloved  Sis  should 
ever  learn  of  the  supposed  disgrace  of  their 
revered  father. 

With  quiet  tact  the  man  of  the  world,  the  keen 
criminal  lawyer,  first  listened,  then  with  adroitness 
led  the  lads  to  reveal,  as  it  were,  their  habits,  their 
haunts,  their  very  lives,  lived  amid  the  pines;  an 
eagerness  in  him  seeming  paramount  at  the  min- 
gling of  the  girl  Roma's  life  to  theirs ;  while  to  the 
brother  an  unusual  tender  cadence  came  into  his 
tones  as  he  now  and  again  referred  to  her  incentive 
to  work  for  him  in  aiding  to  free  him,  which  had  re- 
sulted in  the  producing  of  a  being  of  Miss  Went- 
worth's  world. 

When  at  last,  and  long  after  the  crescent  of  the 
moon  had  set  in  the  azure  west  and  the  friends  had 
separated  for  their  rest,  Allyn  Prentice  sat  alone, 
there  echoed  in  his  heart  the  words  his  young 
client  had  voiced  when  looking  again  at  his  Sis's 
creation, 

"  Thank  God,  my  Sis  does  not  belong  to  a  world 
like  theirs." 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII 

Midsummer  in  the  mountains  —  could  any  words 
imply  more?  Back  to  the  sylvan  retreat,  Windy 
accompanied  by  Joe,  had  been  restored.  Back  to 
a  heart  filled  with  gratitude  to  her  Creator,  while 
now  again  day  by  day  Roma  reveled  in  minister- 
ing to  the  every  want  of  her  boys. 

To  Windy,  the  parting  from  the  Prince  had 
been  very  hard,  while  if  fervency  in  a  handclasp 
could  denote  sorrow  on  the  part  of  the  man,  who 
had  so  generously  befriended  him,  it  had  assuredly 
been  given  to  the  lad,  as  had  also  a  promise  to 
join  him  in  the  mountains  ere  the  summer  had  spent 
itself. 

To  Joe  had  also  been  given  a  hearty  handclasp, 
accompanied  by  the  assurance  that  he  had  enjoyed 
meeting  him,  and  that  they  would  renew  the  ac- 
quaintance at  a  further  date ;  also  a  letter  was 
entrusted  to  him  to  give  the  artist  who  had  exe- 
cuted with  skill  to  aid  his  client. 

Such  a  homecoming  as  it  had  proved  to  the  lads, 
as  well  as  to  the  aged  artist,  whom  all  felt  to  be 
one  of  them !  The  summer  days  simply  began  and 
ended  with  a  charm  they  could  well  understand  so 
content  were  they  to  live  and  enjoy,  beholding  the 
calm  sweet  radiance  which  fell  on  them  from  gray 
275 


276  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

eyes,  and  which  so  gratified  all  their  desires.  Soon 
the  lads  were  busily  engaged  in  their  customary 
summer  pursuits,  the  ponies,  as  well  as  they,  seem- 
ing glad  to  give  pleasure  to  the  world-weary,  as 
they  enabled  them  to  commune  with  nature  in  its 
wondrousness. 

Roma,  as  well,  was  often  in  the  saddle,  coming 
back  to  the  Snuggy  with  many  trophies  of  the  full- 
ness of  the  season,  to  show  the  grand  old  master  of 
nature.  Now,  it  would  be  straight,  hardy  stalks 
of  columbine,  as  delicate  in  color  as  the  soft  down 
of  the  canary ;  then  again,  painted  cups,  attired 
in  a  medley  of  tints  from  palest  pink  to  deepest 
crimson.  While  often  as  the  wind,  with  gentle 
caress,  swayed  the  tinted  boughs  over  the  carpet 
of  purple  heather,  scarlet  gleams  would  flash  forth 
as  the  lithe  figure  of  the  happy  girl  showed  through 
the  aperture  —  her  beloved  colored  adornment  ac- 
companying her. 

The  details  of  Ben's  death,  Windy  had  told  her 
on  his  return,  as  well  as  the  forgiveness  he  had  ex- 
pressed that  she  grant  him.  Very  sad  it  had 
seemed  to  the  girl  to  think  of  one  so'  seemingly 
unprincipled  to  die  with  such  short  respite,  but  he 
had  done  much  to  expiate,  and  for  that  she  was 
deeply  grateful.  Of  Ben,  they  often  spoke,  but  it 
was  the  other,  the  Prince,  as  her  Broth  called  him, 
who  provided  the  greater  theme  for  conversation, 
at  least  where  Windy  was  concerned. 

Again  and  again  his  Sis  would  creep  to  his  side 
to  ask  of  this  Prince,  until  she  felt  that  but  to 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  £77 

follow  with  her  Broth's  eyes  was  to  know  him. 
Many  times  and  oft  she  would  find  herself  lost  in 
deep  thought,  rousing  herself  to  find  it  was  of  this 
Prince  she  was  thinking,  the  Prince  in  whose 
luxuriant  home  her  Broth  had  been  given  a  place 
of  refuge,  and  who  had  written  her,  complimenting 
her  highly  on  her  art,  also  enclosing  a  good-sized 
check  for  its  creation. 

Then  again  it  would  seem  that  this  Nina  with 
her  cruelly  beautiful  eyes  her  Broth  often  spoke 
of,  held  her  thoughts.  At  such  times  an  unrest 
seemed  to  possess  her  and  she  would  strive  to  put 
her  from  her,  going  back  with  a  deeper  ardor  of 
appreciation  to  the  man  who  had  so  princely  be- 
friended her  Broth. 

And  now,  he  was  coming  —  coming  up  the  trail, 
to  fulfill  his  promise  to  the  lad  he  had  so  valiantly 
fought  for,  in  spite  of  darkest  proofs  as  to  his 
honesty.  It  was  little  wonder  that  the  lad,  as  he 
finished  the  contents  of  the  Prince's  letter,  should 
blaze  forth  with  a  great  joy.  As  for  the  girl  her- 
self, as  she  watched  the  glad  light  that  leaped  into 
her  Broth's  eyes,  there  came  an  overwhelming  sen- 
sation of  mingled  joy  and  awe  at  beholding  this 
Prince. 

Several  mornings  after  the  arriving  of  the  letter 
which  had  brought  the  certainty  that  the  Snuggy 
and  its  inmates  would  receive  a  visit  from  one  whom 
the  world  considered  a  distinguished  man,  Roma 
arose  with  a  sense  of  great  joy  in  her  heart.  Per- 
haps it  was  because  her  dear  Dr.  Moulton  was 


278  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

again  an  inmate  of  the  same  hemisphere  as  herself, 
also  that  she  rejoiced  at  the  glad  truth  which  had 
come  from  the  sorrow  her  protegee  had  borne  when 
she  had  so  sorely  needed  her.  She  had  also  added 
that  she  should  most  certainly  pay  her  a  visit  ere 
the  leaves  made  a  Persian  carpet  over  the  mossy 
verdure. 

Hastily  dressing  herself  in  her  habitual  costume, 
Roma  was  soon  busily  engaged  in  preparing  break- 
fast for  her  cronies,  as  she  sometimes  laughingly 
called  them.  Every  glimpse  she  caught  of  the 
world  of  nature  outside  seemed  to  beckon  allur- 
ingly to  her,  while  in  her  heart  she  made  answer  by 
declaring  she  would  soon  be  out  in  the  open  to 
breathe,  to  behold,  to  enjoy. 

Their  distinguished  guest  was  not  expected  for 
several  days,  so  that  the  young  housekeeper  felt 
she  might  be  allowed  a  bit  of  respite.  Thinking 
to  enjoy  the  freedom  of  the  woods,  also  to  benefit 
by  nature  in  her  loveliest,  the  happy  girl  armed  her- 
self with  sketch  book  and  crayons  and  turned  her 
back  for  a  bit  upon  the  restfulness  of  the  Snuggy. 

As  she  wandered  aimlessly  along,  the  distant 
rush  of  the  wild,  glacier-fed  cataracts  reached  her 
ear  like  a  symphonic  poem,  while  the  pungent 
breath  from  the  spruce  and  balsam  entered  her 
being  like  nectar  that  had  no  equal.  For  a  time 
she  roamed  about  so  filled  with  the  beauty  of 
nature  as  not  to  wish  to  take  her  gaze  from  such 
wealth  of  it  as  she  was  beholding. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  279 

Suddenly  she  conceived  a  fancy  to  visit  the  lake 
whose  waters  sought  and  held  all  nature's  loveliest 
tints.  As  a  child  she  had  wondered  at  the  extreme 
beauty  of  its  iridescent,  gold-tipped  surface.  Now 
it  seemed  to  her  as  a  place  set  apart  by  God  at 
which  to  worship  Him  in  the  beauty  of  holiness. 
To-day  her  heart  seemed  filled  to  overflowing. 
Her  Broth  was  free,  her  dear  professor  and  Joe 
seemed  happy,  her  adored  benefactress  had  prom- 
ised to  come  to  her,  and  now  in  a  few  days  she 
should  meet  face  to  face  the  one  who  had  indeed 
acted  princely  to  her  beloved  Broth.  Yes,  she 
would  go  down  the  trail  to  nature's  shrine,  and 
there  lift  her  gratitude  to  the  Giver  of  all. 

Secreting  her  folio  and  artist  materials  in  the 
hollow  of  an  old  tree,  Roma,  with  a  purpose  before 
her,  began  her  descent.  Many  thoughts  crowded 
themselves  into  her  aroused  consciousness  as  she 
plied  with  nimbleness  the  mountain  trail.  Once  as 
the  white  fleecy  clouds,  which  seemed  to  float  so 
lazily  to  and  fro,  like  huge  birds,  parted,  showing 
the  soft  almost  turquoise  blue  of  the  sky,  the 
thought  of  the  gemlike  eyes  of  the  woman  who 
lived  in  the  flower-scented  land  came  before  her. 
Of  one  thing  she  was  grateful;  grateful  to  Ben, 
not  only  for  liberating  her  Broth,  but  for  restor- 
ing the  flashing  jewels  to  the  woman  whose  beauty 
they  enhanced.  Here,  almost  involuntarily,  her 
hand  wandered  to  the  slender  chain  from  which 
hung  her  own  scarlet  gleams,  while  a  soft  smile 


280  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

circled  her  mobile  mouth  as  she  realized  her  love 
for  it. 

On  she  hastened,  stooping  now  for  a  distant 
view  through  some  aperture,  now  to  gather  some 
spray  of  mountain  flowers,  her  own  face  the  em- 
bodiment of  flower-like  grace.  The  last  turn  had 
come  into  view,  which,  when  reached,  then  passed, 
would  bring  into  vision  the  placid  lake  beneath  the 
sheltering  wing  of  the  sun-kissed  glacier.  Sing- 
ing aloud  from  very  joy,  Roma  hurried  along,  to 
find  at  the  turn  her  eyes  held  by  a  wanderer,  a 
stranger. 

A  long  look  came  to  her  from  the  eyes  of  this 
stranger,  a  look  which  seemed  to  envelop  her  in 
its  possession,  while  with  utmost  courtesy  a  head 
was  bared,  as  to  her  ears  was  borne  the  word 
"  Roma."  For  a  second  she  stood  mute  before 
him,  then  upon  the  fragrant  air  resounded,  "  The 
Prince,"  the  while  she  found  her  hand  encased  in 
one  of  the  wanderer's,  who  stood  before  her. 

As  the  realization  of  the  term  she  had  applied 
to  the  now  smiling  personage  came  over  her,  a 
wave  of  color  suffused  her  face,  though  adroitly 
her  companion  had  feigned  not  to  notice  it.  To 
the  man,  allowing  his  eyes  to  feast  upon  the  girlish 
loveliness,  it  seemed  as  if  a  spirit,  a  being  almost 
of  another  realm,  stood  before  him.  Her  costume 
was  much  the  same  as  had  enveloped  her  in  his 
pictured  possession  of  her ;  her  features,  her  eyes, 
all  were  the  same ;  but  here  was  the  living,  breath- 
ing, soulful  Roma  —  a  being  one  among  many. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  281 

Many  questions  and  answers  followed  the  unex- 
pected meeting;  the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice  telling 
the  girl  that  he  had  been  able  to  leave  a  few  days 
sooner  than  he  had  thought.  She  explaining  that 
a  call  had  seemed  to  come  to  her,  urging  her  down 
the  trail,  to  —  here  her  companion  almost  rever- 
ently exclaimed,  "  To  guide  me." 

"  Yes,  to  guide  you,  if  you  wish  it ;  for,  Mr. 
Prentice,  I  feel  that  I  can  never  repay  you  for  your 
great  goodness  to  my  Broth."  Here  another 
tinge  of  color  crept  to  her  soft  cheeks,  as  she  added, 
"  And  for  your  princely  aid." 

Learning  that  the  girl  had  really  started  to  view 
the  opal-like  lake,  he  asked  that  she  continue  her 
trip,  only  allowing  him  to  accompany  her.  To 
which  she  consented  with  pleased  impetuosity, 
while  to  her  repeated  anxiety  as  to  his  ability  at 
mountain  climbing,  he  assured  her  that  nothing 
he  could  do  would  bring  him  keener  enjoyment,  for 
that  had  always  been  one  of  his  favorite  pastimes. 

The  visit  to  the  shrine  was  to  Roma,  in  spite 
of  the  companionship  of  her  newly  found  acquaint- 
ance, one  of  almost  reverence,  for  she  had  not 
visited  it  before  since  her  Broth  had  been  pro- 
nounced free  —  free  to  enjoy  all  the  world  holds 
most  dear  to  the  young.  Now,  as  never  before,  she 
seemed  to  feel  the  great  charitableness  which  the 
man  by  her  side  had  bestowed  on  her  beloved,  while 
a  feeling  almost  of  adoration  seemed  to  leap  from 
her  heart  to  him,  as  well  as  to  the  Creator  of  them 
both. 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

A  very  silent  Roma  followed  for  a  little  time, 
but  soon  the  very  buoyancy  of  her  happiness  made 
her  like  a  gladsome  lark,  almost  singing  in  her 
ecstasy.  The  climb  up  the  home  pass  was  one  of 
enjoyment  to  both,  many  an  anecdote  being  told 
by  the  keen,  criminal  lawyer  with  the  abandonment 
of  youth,  while  the  merry  laugh  from  the  lips  of 
the  guide,  as  Roma  insisted  on  being,  floated  back 
down  the  mountain  trail  and  was  lost  in  the 
shadows  of  the  lengthening  day. 

Great  was  the  surprise  of  Windy  and  Joe  when, 
returning  at  the  close  of  day,  they  found  the 
Prince  already  a  member  of  the  Snuggy,  the  pro- 
fessor and  Roma  each  seeming  to  vie  with  each 
other  for  his  comfort  and  companionship,  while, 
as  Windy  expressed  it  later,  the  Prince  seemed  to 
be  enjoying  himself  in  a  most  approved  fashion. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX 

As  the  halcyon  summer  days  swiftly  passed,  the 
distinguished  guest  at  the  Snuggy  often  thought 
of  the  words  the  sister  of  his  boyhood  chum  had 
spoken  —  words  telling  of  such  loyal,  true  love  as 
the  inmates  of  a  mountainous  home  had  one  for 
the  other.  He  did  not  need  to  seek  this  peaceful 
home  to  realize  the  truth  of  her  words,  for  from 
the  advent  of  big,  pioneer-like  Joe  a  revelation  had 
been  borne  to  him  that  included  the  lad  as  well  as 
the  brother,  in  the  love  which  surrounded  the  girl. 
Just  what  Joe's  words  to  the  pictured  Roma,  im- 
plied to  the  living  Roma,  the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice 
felt  he  did  not  know.  He  only  knew  it  had  seemed 
to  bring  a  sense  of  separation  to  him  from  his  girl 
mascot,  a  separation  which  merely  in  thought 
brought  a  sensation  of  deep  loss. 

As  the  days  had  followed  one  another  after  his 
parting  with  the  lads,  who  had  left  for  their  home 
in  the  pines,  a  feeling  of  unrest,  of  uneasiness, 
seemed  often  to  possess  him.  At  such  times  he 
would  end  by  looking  long  into  the  truthful,  frank 
eyes  of  the  pictured  Roma,  wishing  thereby  to 
solve  all;  but  the  silent  face  gave  him  back  no 
answer  as  to  the  right  of  words  of  endearment. 

As  days  passed  into  weeks,  his  unrest  seemed  to 
283 


284*  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

deepen  rather  than  to  disappear,  nor  could  even 
the  subtle,  charming  grace  of  the  fair  Nina  wholly 
dispel  it.  Once  again  he  had  been  bidden  to  her 
home  to  a  fete  of  social  distinction.  Once  again, 
as  in  duty  bound,  had  he  sent  his  floral  token  to 
the  beautiful  woman;  his  congratulations  relative 
to  the  restoring  of  the  gems  which  flashed  their 
gleams  of  scarlet,  bringing  far  more  the  flush  to 
her  cheeks  and  the  deepened  light  to  her  eyes  than 
his  graciously  worded  compliment  of  the  beauty  of 
the  throat  whereon  rested  the  brilliant  jewels. 

With  adroitness  she  sought  to  gain  information 
of  the  girl,  excluding  the  mentioning  of  her  name 
in  the  inquiry  of  the  freed  lad  and  his  life  since 
the  return  to  his  home.  With  as  subtle  adroitness 
Allyn  Prentice  also  evaded  all  mention  of  the  girl, 
whose  presence  seemed  to  bear  to  him  a  silent  call. 
In  fact,  he  had  promised  himself  a  journey;  a 
journey  to  the  mountain  home  where  he  should 
meet  and  know  this  girl  of  the  Snuggy. 

The  day  following  the  evening  of  the  social 
gathering  at  Nina  Wentworth's  artistic  home  was 
the  day  he  had  set  apart  to  fulfill  what  to  him  was 
now  a  keenly  desired  wish,  but  no  word  of  it  did 
he  as  much  as  breathe,  even  when  bidding  his  host- 
ess a  pleasant  good  night. 

After  the  first  look  into  the  eyes  of  the  living, 
breathing  Roma,  Allyn  Prentice  realized  that  the 
silent,  urging  call  which  had  seemed  to  consume 
him  by  its  very  entirety  had  been  the  call  of  love, 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  285 

love  for  the  youth,  beauty  and  goodness  of  the  real 
girl  Roma.  But  of  Joe  —  the  loyal  pal  of  Roma's 
brother  —  what  of  him?  Of  that  he  should  see. 
If  any  one  should  have  told  the  Hon.  Allyn  Pren- 
tice, as  he  followed  with  steps,  as  well  as  eyes,  the 
lithe  figure  of  his  guide  up  the  mountains,  that  a 
feeling  of  cowardice  predominated  his  conscious- 
ness, he  would  have  disbelieved  it;  nevertheless,  as 
the  Snuggy  came  into  view  he  found  himself  watch- 
ing, with  an  alertness  he  had  not  shown,  until  near 
where  his  expectant  meeting  with  the  lads  should 
show  him  Joe  and  the  girl  Roma. 

No  criminal  on  the  stand,  no  accused  one  it  was 
his  duty  to  free,  did  he  watch  with  keener  subtle- 
ness than  the  glances  which  passed  between  the 
girl  he  now  knew  he  loved  and  the  stalwart  lad  of 
the  woods.  With  what  gratitude  did  he  recognize 
that  the  heart  of  her  who  unconsciously  wore  his 
talisman  and  honored  his  gift  was  free  —  free  for 
him  to  win  if  by  his  love  for  her  he  could  receive 
hers.  That  Joe,  indeed,  loved  her  hopelessly,  he 
also  discerned;  had  it  been  otherwise,  he  should 
not  have  extended  his  visit  from  day  to  day  until 
now  more  than  two  weeks  had  passed  since  he  had 
become  an  inmate  of  the  pine-girted  Snuggy. 

Of  his  love  for  Roma  he  had  not  as  yet  spoken ; 
each  day,  feelings  akin  to  those  he  had  experienced 
before  he  had  assured  himself  that  Joe's  love  was 
not  returned  by  the  sweet  mountain  girl  now  caus- 
ing him  to  defer  his  own  verdict  from  day  to  day. 
He  felt  that  she  enjoyed  his  society,  and  now  and 


286  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

again  as  their  eyes  met  he  fancied  a  soft,  tender 
light  for  a  moment  rose  in  their  depths,  only  soon 
to  become  hidden  from  his  view.  That  he  longed 
to  bring  its  radiance  to  beam  for  himself  alone,  he 
realized  more  and  more,  as  he  spent  the  golden 
hours  with  her. 

How  true,  how  pure  and  modest  she  was,  and 
yet,  with  all  her  gentleness,  how  brave  and  loyal 
was  the  heart  for  those  she  loved !  To  see  her  with 
her  aged  artist  friend,  as  well  as  with  her  boys, 
Broth  and  Joe,  was  to  see  a  wealth  of  love  dis- 
played unsparingly. 

Her  pleasure  in  the  saddle  and  her  fine  mount 
found  appreciation  from  her  guest,  and  together 
they  had  enjoyed  many  a  climb  through  the  pine- 
girted  avenues  to  the  feet  of  the  sun-kissed  glaciers. 

They  had  now  just  returned  from  one  of  those 
jaunts  and  were  seated  upon  the  low  veranda,  their 
horses  grazing  before  the  Snuggy  door.  Soon 
they  were  joined  by  the  aged  artist,  who  had  been 
declaring  for  some  days  his  intended  departure. 
Now  as  they  sat  watching  the  great  crimson  glow 
sink  lower  and  lower  between  the  vistas,  a  quietness 
seemed  to  permeate  their  separate  beings.  At  last 
the  silence  was  broken  by  Roma,  a  little  sigh  sound- 
ing audibly  upon  the  scented  air. 

"  It  will  be  lonely  when  my  friends  have  de- 
parted;  how  I  wish  — "  and  here  a  tinge  of  car- 
mine came  unbidden,  to  vie  with  her  ever-present, 
scarlet  adornment. 

"  Wish  what,  my  little  artist  ?  "  exclaimed  her 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  287 

aged  teacher,  for  he  had  also  been  studying  the 
girl  since  the  appearing  of  the  Prince  and  was  now 
wondering  on  what  her  wish  would  depend. 

"  Just  that  all  one's  friends  might  not  have  to 
be  separated  —  one  going  to  a  land  of  flowers, 
another  to  an  Eastern  port,  and  some  to  remain  in 
a  clime  where  the  winter  yearns  to  hasten  and  is 
loath  to  leave,"  returned  the  girl,  a  sadness  for 
the  moment  seeming  to  hide  the  real  Roma  from 
their  view.  An  instant  later  she  seemed  about  to 
add  more,  when,  hurriedly  rising,  she  entered  the 
Snuggy  and  soon  the  two  she  had  left  heard  her 
light  step  as  she  hastened  to  prepare  the  evening 
meal  for  them  all. 

To  Allyn  Prentice,  as  he  still  lingered  in  the 
fragrant  air,  came  a  wish  which  echoed  Roma's  — 
a  wish  that  he  might  never  have  to  become  sepa- 
rated from  the  noble  girl ;  and  he  determined  that 
ere  another  night  should  be  ushered  over  the  moun- 
tain-crowned land,  he  should  know  if  such  a  realiza- 
tion could  indeed  be  his. 

When  parting  from  his  young  client  and  Joe,  he 
had  asked  them  that  they  speak  no  word  of  hi» 
mascot's  picture  occupying  a  place  in  his  home. 
"  Not  but  that  I  wish  her  to  know,"  he  had  added, 
"  but  there  is  a  little  story  associated  with  it  which 
I  would  like  her  to  hear ;  so,  if  you  do  not  mind,  I 
will  tell  it  to  her  when  I  pay  your  Snuggy  a  visit." 

The  time  for  the  picture  and  the  story  had  come. 
To-morrow  he  would  ask  the  girl  he  loved  to  go  to 
the  iridescent  lake,  to  the  spot  of  nature  she  called 


288  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

God's  shrine,  and  there  he  would  ask  her  to  bless 
his  life  with  the  priceless  gift  of  her  pure  love. 

The  down  trail  had  been  accomplished  with  little 
incident,  both  Roma  and  her  companion  seeming 
now  and  again  lost  in  revery ;  then  again  filled  with 
almost  unnatural  gayety  as  they  called  back  and 
forth  to  each  other,  while  their  ponies  skillfully 
piloted  on.  Summer's  nature  was  wooing  all  to 
itself,  the  sky,  the  verdure,  the  living  creatures  of 
the  woods  —  all  were  being  blest  by  its  loved  touch. 

At  the  Prince's  wish,  for  such  she  ever  thought 
of  him,  Roma  had  willingly  acquiesced  that  they 
should  again  visit  the  fascinating,  jeweled  haunt. 
To  her,  a  charm,  which  this  place  of  nature 
breathed,  was  ever  poignant.  To-day,  to  visit  it 
again,  and  in  the  companionship  of  one  who  in  so 
brief  an  acquaintance  had  seemingly  enhanced  the 
beauty  of  all  for  her,  was  keenest  joy  to  the  moun- 
tain girl. 

The  aged  professor  had  bade  them  linger,  nor 
to  give  thought  of  him,  as  Roma  had  with  solicita- 
tion spoken  of  his  welfare.  Perhaps  he  divined,  as 
when  with  loyal  Joe,  so  now  with  the  Prince  —  for 
so  even  he  often  found  himself  mentally  terming 
their  guest  —  that  the  time  had  arrived  for  him 
to  know  his  fate. 

With  what  marvelous  glory  did  the  tinted, 
gleaming  bosom  of  the  lake  welcome  the  comers,  as 
they  sought  its  seclusion,  to  enjoy  its  beauty! 
The  ponies  even  seemed  to  feel  that  an  unusual 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  289 

radiance  was  about  them,  as  they  whinnied  one 
to  the  other,  resting  under  verdant  shelter. 

"  Roma,  what  would  you  say  if  I  should  tell  you 
that  you  had  been  in  my  thoughts  every  day,  yes, 
I  believe,  every  hour  for  weeks,  before  I  ever  saw 
the  real  Roma?  "  Here  the  Hon.  Allyn  Prentice's 
eyes  rested  with  marked  admiration  upon  the  face 
of  the  girl  seated  beside  him. 

They  had  been  watching  the  sun-kissed  ripples, 
listening  to  the  calls  of  nature,  conversing  on  many 
themes  previous  to  the  abrupt  question. 

Now,  at  his  words,  a  look  of  almost  grieved  con- 
cern seemed  to  pass  over  her  mobile  features  as 
she  quietly  answered, 

"  Yes,  Broth's  case  must  have  been  a  trying  one, 
especially  as  you  knew  we  were  all  in  all  to  each 
other;  and  your  concern  included  me,  for  which  I 
am  deeply  grateful." 

"  No,  Roma,  I  do  not  refer  in  any  way  to  the 
case,  as  you  style  it ;  for  not  until  the  day  your 
brother  was  freed  by  the  truth  of  Ben's  statement, 
did  I  even  know  his  rightful  name." 

A  startled  look  had  now  crept  into  the  gray  eyes 
of  his  companion,  as  she  essayed  to  speak,  but  the 
voice  of  the  man  at  her  side  continued, 

"  Yes,  Roma,  you  have  been  an  inmate  of  my 
California  home  now  for  a  long  time;  your  being 
has  been  there  to  bid  me  welcome.  At  first,  only 
as  an  attractive,  girlish,  pictured  being,  but  at  the 
last  seeming  a  living,  loving,  regal  woman." 


£90  GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

With  thoughtful  tenderness  he  then  told  her  all ; 
of  the  photograph  coming  to  him  as  it  did,  of  his 
life,  his  work,  of  the  loyalty  of  her  brother  re- 
garding her  picture;  of  all,  even  to  his  friendship 
with  the  beautiful  woman  of  the  world,  the  fair 
Nina.  During  the  entire  period  in  which  Allyn 
Prentice  had  spoken  the  truth  concerning  his  life 
and  the  interest  he  had  felt  for  the  girl  he  had 
called  his  mascot,  she  had  gazed  at  him,  seemingly 
lost  in  his  vivid  relating.  At  times,  a  look  of  per- 
plexity deepened  her  brow. 

Now,  like  a  messenger,  came  the  certainty  who 
had  sent  her  —  here  her  hand  reached  and  lovingly 
caressed  the  gleaming  cross  which  rested  at  her 
soft  full  throat,  a  tinge  of  vivid  scarlet  creeping 
into  her  face,  meanwhile;  but  before  she  could 
speak,  a  hand  was  placed  over  hers  that  pressed 
the  bauble  and  her  name  was  again  spoken,  oh,  so 
tenderly. 

At  some  little  time  later,  when  Roma  had  really 
been  brought  to  realize  that  the  Prince  loved  her 
and  wished  as  she  had,  only  one  little  day  before, 
that  there  should  never  be  any  separation  for  — 
friends  —  for  them  —  she  then  realized  that  much 
as  she  loved  her  aged  friend,  it  had  really  been 
the  thought  of  parting  from  him  whose  warm  clasp 
now  held  her  to  him  as  she  put  her  thoughts  in 
words.  Again  and  again  the  eager  man  asked  her 
of  the  finding  of  the  talisman  both  had  worn  and 
loved,  seeming  to  see  the  little  illumined  face  in 
the  radiantly  happy  one  of  the  girl  by  his  side,  as 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET  291 

she  related  her  joy  at  possessing  it,  and  who  now 
had  promised  to  always  wear  his  initials,  those  of 
A.E.P. 

Happiness  crowned  them  both  as  they  lingered 
by  the  placid  lake;  wonderment  of  it  all  resting 
like  a  halo  over  the  gentle  girl,  who  felt  that  a  gift 
from  above  had  been  given  her  in  the  love  of  this 
prince  of  men.  In  her  joy,  she  grieved  that  big 
faithful  Joe  should  have  had  cause  to  suffer  and 
by  her,  and  with  tender  sympathy  she  spoke  of  him 
to  her  beloved,  only  to  be  assured  that  he  had 
studied  them  both  ere  he  had  dared  to  hope ;  pity- 
ing Joe,  but  thanking  God  that  she  had  been  heart 
free. 

The  ponies  had  long  been  restless,  while  the 
crimson  gleams  of  the  fire  ball  had  sunk  lower  and 
lower  from  the  pine-girted  Snuggy,  until  now  it 
reached  the  crimson  waters  of  the  lake,  bidding  a 
man  and  maiden  take  up  life's  duties  again,  to  go 
forth  blessed  by  their  love;  glad,  whether  for  joy 
or  sorrow,  to  be  of  comfort  each  to  the  other. 

Now  to  a  land  of  flowers,  to  a  home  made  lovely 
for  her,  its  richest  gift  being  the  one  of  a  hus- 
band's love,  Roma  had  been  borne ;  the  best  wishes 
of  many  friends  following  the  two  who  only  needed 
those  heartfelt  expressions  to  complete  their  per- 
fect happiness ;  both  Roma  and  her  husband  assur- 
ing all  their  dear  ones  that  open  house  would  al- 
ways be  for  them,  whenever  they  would  deign  to 
occupy  it. 

Their  lives  had  been  united  at  the  Snuggy,  the 


GLEAMS  OF  SCARLET 

impatient  man  asking  that  his  wife-to-be  should 
speed  the  furlough,  when  with  reluctance  he  bade 
her  good-by,  to  return  to  his  duties  at  court. 

With  loving  consideration  she  had  complied,  and 
when  the  golden  summer  days  at  the  mountains 
began  to  show  traces  that  their  glory  would  soon 
be  spent,  Roma,  surrounded  by  those  she  loved, 
gave  herself  not  to  the  Prince,  as  she  lovingly  told 
her  dear  Broth,  but  to  "  My  Prince." 


TV. 


